December Volunteers of the Month: Marie Sanders and Team Troy

The bright green shirts of Team Troy stood out among a crowd of teams at the 2017 Hershey ALS United Walk. Family and friends were on hand to support Troy Sanders, who had been diagnosed with ALS in April 2016 and they were wearing the colors of the Miami Dolphins, Troy’s favorite football team.

Just like with football, Troy knew it would take a team to end ALS.

Troy’s wife Marie organized people to support Troy and his efforts. They were inspired by his positivity and by her love for him through this difficult journey.

When Troy was first diagnosed in April 2016, Marie felt like their world was crashing down on them. They had been married for 25 years and never expected something like ALS to enter into their lives. They also had no idea where to turn or what they would need.

Troy knew that he couldn’t do this on his own and he did not want all of the pressure to be on Marie. They found relief and reassurance with Dr. Zachary Simmons and his team at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Dr. Simmons explained the challenges that were ahead for them and also the tools and people who could help them along the way.

Their team expanded even more when they were introduced to ALS United Mid-Atlantic and the experienced team of care professionals like Carrie Weichrein and nurses Maureen Reid, Annette Miller, Alair Altiero, and Sue Walsh.

“Dr. Simmons and the team at Penn State Health gave us hope, confidence, and support to navigate this dreaded disease,” said Marie. “Their medical expertise and compassion were exemplary.”

When Marie and Troy and their family saw what was available to them and to all ALS families in the region, they decided to become involved in fundraising and the ALS United Walk. Troy’s sister Julie and her friends organized the walk team and Marie organized people to support their efforts. Julie and her friend were inspired by his positivity and by her love for him through this difficult journey. They knew that they would not just be helping Troy, but they would be benefiting others living with ALS and those who would be diagnosed in the future.

Troy knew that he couldn’t do this on his own and he did not want all of the pressure to be on
Marie and his family. Especially on his mother, Jenny, who was helping Troy’s father with his dementia diagnosis.

Troy’s battle with ALS came to an end on December 4, 2017 when he passed away at his home with his loving family by his side. He met each day of the disease with the determination and joy that made Marie love him for so many years, and he passed on those attributes to his sons Jaden and Cameron.

Following Troy’s passing, Marie knew that she wanted to continue to honor him in whatever way they could. His friends mentioned the idea of creating a golf outing to raise money and awareness for the ALS cause so that others could benefit from a capable care team just as he did. Golf was one of Troy’s favorite sports to play and also one of the toughest things for him to accept that he could no longer do as his ALS symptoms progressed.

The first golf outing to honor Troy took place in 2018. Marie recognizes it as a true team effort. The event raises money for ALS United Mid-Atlantic and for scholarships at South Western High School through Dollars for Scholars. It was important to Marie that they look to the future with each event because that is what Troy would have wanted.

The golf outing has continued and grown each year aside from a pause in 2020 due to the pandemic. Family and friends take part in the golf outing to remember Troy’s positivity and sense of humor. Each year, Marie and the team solicit sponsors and donations knowing that the money will improve the lives of those living with ALS.