Osiel was diagnosed with ALS in October 2016 at 21 years old. He noticed his symptoms rather quickly and was diagnosed just about a month after symptom onset. Despite being diagnosed during the start of his senior year at the University of Oregon, he finished out the year and graduated with a degree in Sports Business and a focus in Non-Profit Management. He was the recipient of the David Warsaw Outstanding Undergraduate in Sports Business award for the 2016-2017 school year and was also recognized as 1 of 25 outstanding Ducks amongst a 23,000 student population. After graduating from college, Osiel has returned to the Bay Area in California to work as an intern for the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI).
Osiel, his fiancé, his friends and his entire family have become strong advocates for ALS TDI. They share a goal of fundraising for ALS research to fund medicine that significantly slows down, stops and hopefully reverses the progression of ALS in everyone.
During ALS Awareness month of 2017, Osiel came out with a video, fundraiser and campaign called #YolkUp4ALS. This video told Osiel's story and challenged viewers to participate in a challenge to drink an egg yolk, do the ice bucket challenge, and support those living with ALS by donating to ALS TDI. From this, Osiel has been strongly advocating for ALS research and has been featured on multiple television news stations, KWVA radio show, the Daily Emerald Magazine at the University of Oregon and his hometown newspaper, the Martinez Gazette.
Since May of 2017, he has held and been a part of creating a social drinking fundraiser at the local college bar where he attended school, a charity soccer game in his hometown of Martinez and a barbecue fundraiser with friends and family, also in Martinez. In just 2 months, Osiel has managed to raise over $35,000 for ALS TDI.
With no signs or plans of slowing down, Osiel, his fiancé, friends and family are dedicated to continue advocating and doing everything in their power to advance ALS research. He is extremely optimistic and confident that an effective therapy and cure for ALS is coming soon.
Osiel married his middle school sweetheart, Bella, on September 8th, 2017. He and Bella have 2 dogs together, Hendrix (Golden Retriever and a future service dog) and Jovie (Shih-tzu and current therapy dog). They are hoping to have kids soon and start a family within the next few years. Osiel also just started as a Development Intern with ALS TDI and is looking forward to fundraising for ALS research.
In the meantime, Osiel continues to enjoy watching sports, playing poker with his friends, spending quality time with his family, eating good food, drinking good beer and making people smile.