TOMS RIVER – A Toms River native is seeking help from the community that raised him.
Since growing up on the Jersey Shore, Chris Tschupp has made a name for himself as a professional hockey player, actor, and screenwriter, among other accomplishments. However, a few years ago Tschupp received a devastating diagnosis: he had ALS and only 2 to 5 years to live. ALS stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a disease that attacks cells in the brain and spinal cord that are needed to keep muscles moving.
Tschupp is now seeking support from the community to help halt his ALS and continue chasing his dreams via GoFundMe.
The fundraising site, entitled “Fight With Chris Tschupp To Halt ALS,” aims to raise $250,000 to help fund medical and healing expenses. As of Dec. 4, the site has raised $61,203.
A message from Tschupp on the site tells his story from his early days as a kid growing up in Toms River to today, a professional storyteller looking to make an impact on the world around him.
Tschupp’s first passion was hockey.
“My grandmother taught me how to skate at 4 years old; by the time I was 5, I knew I needed to play hockey. I made my first travel team as a Mite and there was no looking back: I started to chase my passion alongside my best friend, Bob Cielo,” wrote Tschupp.
He played for 20 years in Brick, the Philadelphia Little Flyers, Toms River High School East, Trinity-Pawling Prep School, University of Notre Dame and minor league pro hockey. Then in June of 1990, his hard work paid off: he was selected as the 125th Overall Pick in the NHL Draft by the Calgary Flames.
“It was the biggest honor of my life. After working so hard through youth, high school and college hockey my dreams had come true, thanks to a lot of blood, sweat, tears and grit along the way,” he wrote.
Fast forward nearly three decades – Tschupp begins to notice a change in himself.
“A few years ago I noticed that my fingers had started curling, my hands were getting weaker and I could no longer hold a hockey stick,” he wrote.
After seeing a chiropractor and spine surgeon, all signs pointed to “stenosis” in his neck. However when his speech began to slow, he knew something much worse was going on.
“I immediately went to see a neurologist (a motor neuron specialist) and after testing, he came back with a shocking diagnosis: I had ALS, and I had between 2 and 5 years left to live. I was devastated,” said Tschupp.
Since his diagnosis, Tschupp has faced numerous challenges and mishaps in his treatment, including a bout of Aseptic Meningitis.
Although the doctors and specialists aren’t providing him a very hopeful outlook, Tschupp refuses to give up the fight.
“Breaking the news to my girl, Sofia Grace, my parents, sister, relatives and friends was heartbreaking. My tears flowed like never before,” he wrote. “I needed to accept the reality of my situation and turn my attention towards fighting harder than I ever have to sustain my life.”
In the years since his diagnosis, Tschupp has worked on his writing, successfully writing four TV shows and two feature-length films.
“Yet today, I can’t really type anymore, much less hold a pen or pencil. While writing is difficult, I’ll never quit telling great stories that inspire people and have an impact on the world,” he added.
In order to do this, he needs your help. In order to keep fighting and keep doing what he loves, it will require expensive medical care that is not covered by insurance.
Tschupp wrote: “I am very grateful for this GoFundMe platform and I know it has helped so many people throughout the world. However, I would like this personal platform to be interpreted as: **IF** you can donate, then thank you so very much. Any amount helps but you’re under no obligation to give.”
The GoFundMe site has garnered much support from the community already, with positive messages from friends reading “You are not along in this” and “Keep fighting.”
If you wish to donate, the site can be found by clicking here!
“Everyone loves a great comeback…. And Chris Tschupp is coming!”
