Marlene Sweet, the wife of He-Man and Masters of the Universe creator Roger Sweet, has launched a GoFundMe campaign as the 90-year-old toy designer is facing medical bills of up to $10,200 a month.
Sweet is best known as the creator of He-Man, having played a pivotal role in developing the Masters of the Universe toy line during his time working as a lead designer for Mattel’s preliminary design department.
Having held this position throughout much of the ‘70s and ‘80s, Sweet designed and named the original He-Man character before working alongside a team of creatives to flesh out the wider franchise. It went on to become one of the most successful toy properties of the ‘80s, spawning animated series and comics.
Over the decades, Sweet has remained closely connected to the franchise’s community, regularly attending Comic-Con conventions and speaking with fans about the origins of his creations.
GoFundMe launched to help He-Man creator Roger Sweet & family
Now at the age of nearly 91, Sweet has dementia. His wife has now launched a GoFundMe to help cover the cost of his placement in a memory care facility, and it’s raised more than $30,000 of its $50,000 goal at the time of writing.
In a statement shared on the fundraiser page, Marlene Sweet explained that her husband’s dementia has continued to worsen. After going for a walk and returning home disoriented and badly bruised, doctors discovered he had suffered two brain bleeds.
He was admitted to the ICU for three days, followed by four more days in hospital, where he remained largely disoriented and at high risk of falling.
“The doctors consider him a high risk for falls and say he must use a walker, considering the dementia and brain bleeds,” she wrote, adding that he often insists he does not need assistance due to his confusion.
Medical professionals ultimately determined he must move into a memory care facility, where he can be monitored. Marlene said the chosen facility costs $10,200 per month, which isn’t covered by Medicare and is well above their monthly income.
“So I am reaching out to all the He-Man fans for help with these bills,” she wrote. “Any donation will be greatly appreciated and will ease the burden of this new expense.”
Marlene also shared further insight into Roger’s passion for his work, saying, “He always loved talking about He-Man and Masters with all the fans!”
She went on to say that for their wedding, “the designers in the He-Man group ‘built’ us a plaster wedding cake, with ‘He-Man takes Marlene for his bride’ written on the side, and He-Man dressed for a wedding (with his bride holding all the weapons) for the cake topper!”
Hundreds of fans and loved ones have donated, as well as $5,000 from the Mattel Foundation.
There are also plenty of words of support, with one writing, “I hope this donation helps. He-Man was a profound influence in my childhood in so many ways. God Bless you, Roger and Marlene.”
Another said, “You have brought so much joy and imagination to my childhood and even as an adult to me. Wishing you the best. Thank you.”
“Masters of the Universe inspired me as a kid and I’m happy to help donate here to thank Roger for his incredible creation,” added a third.
“I am currently the primary caretaker for my dad, who also has dementia, and I understand the staggering costs associated with memory care – especially for a good facility. I hope you are able to get all of the help you need to cover this. I wish you the best of luck!”
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