Star Trek fans raise over $60K in funds for Discovery actor Kenneth Mitchell’s wife and children… after star dies at age 49 of ALS

Kenneth Mitchell’s Star Trek fans come to the aid of his grieving family.

To date, $61,403 has been raised toward the $100,000 goal on a Go-Fund-Me account set up by a friend named Carolyn Lewinsky.

The beloved actor died Saturday at the age of 49 after a five-year battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, better known as ALS, and is survived by his wife, Susan May Pratt, and two children, Lilah and Kallum.

“Ken loved his work and cherished his friends – many of whom he had been close to since childhood – but he lived for Susan and their children, Lilah and Kallum, who truly had his heart. This Go Fund Me is for them,” Lewinsky wrote.

‘ALS is a devastating disease, and the costs associated with treatments and healthcare providers required are truly astronomical. But even as their personal debts continued to grow, Ken and Susan chose to view the inevitability of Ken’s death as one that brought with it many beautiful blessings.”

According to the National Institutes of HealthThe typical treatment cost for an ALS patient is approximately $1.43 million, with the family responsible for approximately 9 percent of the cost.

Mitchell was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in August 2018 and began using a wheelchair in October 2019. He publicly revealed he had the debilitating neurological disease in a February 2020 interview with People.

“The moment they told us it was (ALS), it was like I was in my own movie,” he said.

‘That’s what it felt like, like I was watching that scene where someone is told that he or she has a terminal illness. “It was just complete disbelief, shock,” he told the newspaper.

Despite his illness, Mitchell was able to continue working for a while, most recently on the series The Old Man with Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow.

The Canadian actor was well known in the Star Trek community and played a number of roles in Star Trek: Discovery.

Mitchell appeared as Klingons Kol, Kol-Sha and Tenavik, as well as scientist Aurellio, in Star Trek: Discovery.

The producers knew his condition and made sure that his need to use a wheelchair was incorporated or camouflaged in his performances.

Mitchell’s family posted this photo and a lengthy obituary detailing his life on Instagram on Sunday

The actor is survived by his wife Susan May Pratt and their children Lilah and Kallum

A family friend has set up a Go-Fund-Me campaign to help cover the debt he incurred for treatment during his illness. NIH found that the typical treatment cost for an ALS patient is about $1.43 million, with the family responsible for about 9 percent of the cost

He also voiced several characters in an episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks.

His Star Trek: Discovery co-star Anthony Rapp shared Mitchell’s obituary on his Instagram Story, saying, “This amazing man brightened the lives of so many.”

“I am privileged to have known him and will never forget his joyful kindness and incredible courage.”

Fellow countryman Skeet Ulrich mourned the loss of his friend, writing, “You will never be forgotten!! You are embedded in the hearts and minds of so many. You will always be an inspiration. All my love to you and your beautiful family ‘

Mitchell played the Klingons Kol, Kol-Sha and Tenavik, as well as scientist Aurellio, in Star Trek: Discovery and voiced several characters in an episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks

Producers of Star Trek: Discovery accommodated Mitchell’s need to use a wheelchair when he played scientist Aurelio

Images on his social media and Mitchell’s obituary indicated that instead of a funeral, he wanted his body to be used for renewal. As part of his obituary, a poem titled Connect was posted with the first line: “When I die, I want to become a tree…”

Actress Odette Annable wrote, “I’ll see you at the Clover Diner Kenny. I love you always and forever, my friend.”

Roddenberry’s official report stated: ‘Kenneth was one of a kind and will be greatly missed. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and all who loved him. ‘

Images on his social media and Mitchell’s obituary indicated that instead of a funeral, he wanted his body to be used for renewal.

As part of his obituary, a poem titled Connect was posted with the first line: “When I die, I want to become a tree…”