About Lance

Lance Pierce is a 12 year old in 6th grade at Northwestern Middle School. The family resides in New Tripoli, PA and are active members at New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Two years ago, Lance was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Shortly after Lance’s diagnosis, his father, Marshall, suffered a major stroke. Marshall is still rehabilitating and has been unable to work and take care of Lance. The emotional and financial stress of one income and two disabilities on the family has been overwhelming.

About Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Pseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy or Muscular dystrophy – Duchenne type is an inherited disorder where the muscles rapidly get weaker and weaker, until the organs fail. There is no cure and life expectancy is in the early twenties. Activity and physical therapy is recommended by doctors, but it is very painful.

There is hope for Lance!
Aqua therapy allows him to move and exercise, while taking the weight off his muscles and lungs. It reduces his pain during movement and he is able to get full range of motion. Doctors have also found that daily aqua therapy can significantly slow the progression of Duchenne by 10 to 15 years. It will increase Lance’s quality of life and the extra years may give doctors the opportunity to find a cure.

Unfortunately, the family’s medical insurance does not pay for daily aqua therapy. The closest facility is 45 minutes away from the family’s home. These trips took Lance out of school and Christine, his mom, away from her job.

About the Sons of a Carpenter “Love for Lance” Building Project
An aqua therapy pool was acquired by the Pierce family. Before the addition to their home, it was in their small garage and the conditions were far from ideal for Lance to be able to use it on a daily basis. The Sons of a Carpenter built a permanent structure to enclose the aqua therapy pool. This will allow Lance to use it every day and year-round.

Sons of a Carpenter broke ground for the building structure on July 9th, 2012.  They had a weekend working blitz July 27-29, 2012 with over 50 volunteers and the project remains 95% complete. Just some HVAC and flooring installation needs to be completed.

Pictures of the Love for Lance project can be viewed here.