ALS donations have skyrocketed after actress Sandra Bullock lost her longtime boyfriend, photographer Bryan Randall, to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to TMZ.
Donations are said to have increased by 500% compared to last year’s contributions.
The ALS Association officials stated they are “grateful for the amazing outpouring of support in honor of Bryan.”
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Bryan Randall. Our hearts go out to his friends and family. https://t.co/O9q53im5lc
— The ALS Association (@alsassociation) August 7, 2023
They also noted these donations “help our urgent work to make ALS a livable disease through local care, national advocacy, and global ALS research.”
People Magazine reported that instead of flowers, Randall’s family members requested that those who wish to offer comfort during their period of grief should donate to the charity.
Bullock’s sister posted to Instagram Tuesday noting, “ALS is a cruel disease but there is some comfort in knowing he had the best of caretakers in my amazing sister and the band of nurses she assembled who helped her look after him in their home.”
She ended her post by also directing people to donate to the ALS Association.
While the ALS Association has received increased support, Bullock is receiving sympathy as well. Actress Octavia Spencer offered her condolences.
Per the IJR, she wrote on Instagram, “My heart is broken for Sandy and Bryan. Sandy lost her soulmate and the world lost a talented, handsome, all around good guy!”
She went on, “RIP Bryan Randall. In heaven, there’s a tiny little lady up there who looks an awful lot like me bossing the Angels (sic) around.”
“She’ll get him to play any song you want to hear. Give her a kiss from me,” she concluded.
Bullock had referred to Randall as “the love of my life” during a Red Table Talk interview with Jada Pinket Smith in 2021.
She also noted, “We share two beautiful children – three children, his older daughter,” and said that their relationship was “the best thing ever.”