Greetings family and friends!

It’s that time of year again!  Time to gear up for the Walk to Defeat ALS!

23 years ago on February 7th, 2002 my grandfather was taken too soon at the age of 58 from ALS.  ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a deadly disease with no cause or cure.  It affects the motor neurons in a person’s brain and spinal cord.  When the motor neurons die, the muscle waste away and the person insidiously becomes paralyzed.  Over months, a person is robbed of the ability to walk, speak, eat and eventually breathe.  Upon diagnosis, doctors typically give ALS patients two to five years to live.  

For 5 years, my family and I watched this awful disease eat away at my grandfather, leaving us feeling helpless and distraught. My grandfather faced this disease head on, with courage and strength, even while knowing that every day was one day closer to the end. He never once expressed any fear or anger. 

John and I have walked in the Walk to Defeat ALS every year since 2006.  For the last 19 years I (and John) have volunteered for the ALS United Greater Chicago Chapter in many different capacities.  In 2015, I became an Ambassador with the Chapter and in 2018 I became a staff member and am directing the Always Loved and Supported bereavement support group to help those that have lost a loved one to ALS.  I intend on fighting with the ALS United Greater Chicago Chapter just like my grandfather fought against this disease until there is a cure. 

Your donation not only helps fund research for a cure but it also provides services to individuals who are currently living with ALS free of charge.  Please help us continue to provide support to all that are affected by this horrible disease. 

Thank you for your continued support.