Lee County restaurant owner finds he's not alone in ALS diagnosis

When Jeff Hartman was diagnosed with ALS in November 2023, he worried his family would have to battle the disease alone.

“When they told us, it was devastating. We both knew what it was, and it was like a death sentence,” Hartman said.

Hartman is rarely seen without his wife and business partner, Loretta, by his side.

“We’re always together! She’s the greeter; I’m the cook,” he joked.

The Hartmans have run Bubba’s Subs & Pizza in Sanford for nearly 40 years. The business is a longtime staple in the community.

Loretta Hartman said learning of her husband’s diagnosis in November was heartbreaking.

“I felt like a part of me was going to lose him and I didn’t know how I was going to be able to live without that part of my heart,” she said.

Within a few weeks of learning the news, the Hartmans learned their family was one of several in Lee County dealing with a simliar, recent diagnosis.

“We found out two weeks later about another person that is close to our community that has it,” said Loretta Hartman. “Then in January we found out there was another gentleman.”

Loretta said just this week she learned of two more people who have it. It makes for a total of five families in one community all with loved ones diagnosed with ALS within a few months.

“I’m 61 and we know people in their 20s and 30s,” said Jeff Hartman. “It’s so ugly. I don’t want anybody to go through this.”

He said the hardest part of learning he had ALS was telling his children.

Since that time, the children have taken over operations at Bubba's so their father can focus on his health.

"I want to see them grow and have more grandkids and a bigger family," he said. "Hopefully, maybe, I’ll be here for that.”

To help support further ALS research the family hosted a fundraiser at Bubba's on Thursday evening.

All cash tips and donations as well as 10% of total food sales were donated to ALS United North Carolina. In total, $2,761 was raised from Thursday’s event.

Hundreds of community members, including Libby Dollar, came out to support.

Dollar is among those recently diagnosed with ALS. Her condition has impacted her ability to talk, but she teared up and nodded ‘Yes’ when asked if the community support meant a lot to her.

“There is so much unknown," Jeff Hartman said, but knowing others nearby are also battling the same disease provides comfort for all of the families.

“I think the most cruel thing about it is it deteriorates your body physically but your mind is fine. It’s scary. You have no control,” said Hartman said.

The couple said their faith and support from others have kept them going through the difficult times.

ALS United reports 5,000 people are diagnosed with ALS each year.

The average life expectancy after diagnosis is 2-5 years, but the Hartmans say they will continue praying for a better outcome.

“We hope a cure is soon,” Jeff Hartman said.

The family is now raising money for the ALS United North Carolina Walk in Raleigh on April 20. To support their fundraising efforts, click here.