“Spongebob Squarepants” Creator Stephen Hillenburg Has Been Diagonsed With ALS

So sad to hear that the creator of one the most loved cartoon characters – Nickelodeon’s Spongebob Squarepants– is ill. The animated series maker, Stephen Hillenberg just revealed that he has been diagnosed with neurodegenerative disease ALS. In a statement to THR he said:

I wanted people to hear directly from me that I have been diagnosed with ALS. Anyone who knows me knows that I will continue to work on SpongeBob SquarePants and my other passions for as long as I am able, My family and I are grateful for the outpouring of love and support. We ask that our sincere request for privacy be honoured during this time.

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells and pathways in the brain and spinal cord.

When the cells die, voluntary muscle control and movement go too, while the mind remains alert and normal as the patient slowly becomes paralyzed.

Our prayers go out to him…