My dad, Stephen Toole, was diagnosed with ALS on February 29th, 2024. He passed away 7 weeks later on April 18th, 2024 after courageously fighting a battle he would never win. Throughout my life, he was my biggest supporter and one of my closest friends. When I started my running journey in the summer of 2023, he was always supporting me and checking in on me.

I'm joining TeamALS for the 2025 Chicago Marathon in honor of my dad and to raise funds and awareness to help fight back against this terrible disease. ALS United Greater Chicago provides much needed patient services resources, funds global, cutting-edge research, and much more in order to help those living with ALS right in our community.  

TeamALS is an exciting opportunity for us to work together to support those affected by ALS and to spread awareness of the urgency of our cause and to push for treatments and a cure.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow, and breathe. The life expectancy of a person with ALS averages 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis. ALS can strike anyone, and presently there is no known cause or cure.

Every 90 minutes a person in this country is diagnosed with ALS and every 90 minutes another person will lose their battle against this disease. ALS occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic boundaries. 

This is why challenging ALS is important to me. To bring hope. To raise awareness. To provide resources and services to families free of charge. I'm asking for your help. Please donate and help defeat ALS!