WILLIAMSPORT -- A family from Williamsport is dealing with the losses of their mother and sister. Both died within five days of each other from the same heart disease. Two other siblings in the family are living with that same disease.
Alan Neidig and his sisters are trying to heal from the tragedy that shook their family from Williamsport this week.
"Can it get any worse? It can't," Neidig said.
Last Wednesday, their 46-year-old mother Ann died from a heart disease called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
"She was always helping other people. Always giving and giving and not much receiving," Neidig said.
Just five days later, their 22-year-old sister Alicia Hall passed away from the same disease, and both of Alan's sisters, Amanda and Alanna have the disease too.
"It's very difficult for me to watch them go through this knowing their mom and sister went through it," Marguerite Wolfgang said.
Marguerite Wolfgang lives near Allenwood and has known the Neidig family for more than 30 years.
Newswatch 16 spoke to a cardiologist from Geisinger Medical Center. Doctor Peter Berger did not treat the Neidig family, but he says people living with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy have a 50% chance of passing on the disease to their children. Up to 1.5 million Americans are living with that form of heart disease.
A Facebook page has been set up to remember Ann and Alicia. The family does not have life insurance, and hardly any savings. So friends are holding fundraisers for the Neidig family.
There will be a car wash this Saturday morning at Advanced Auto Parts in Montoursville. Money raised will go toward funeral expenses and medical bills.
"Ann has been a dear friend for a very long time and it's been very difficult. Each one of her kids means the world to me," Wolfgang said.
In addition to the car wash this Saturday, a fund has been set up for the Neidig family at Horizon Federal Credit Union in Williamsport, under "Alicia Hall Fund". If you would like to help the family click here.