2024 Walk ALS Peoria : Ms. Linda Murphy - ALS United Greater Chicago

After experiencing a year of unusual and increasing symptoms and many visits to different specialists, I was diagnosed with ALS in April. ALS is such a devastating disease and so little is known about what causes this illness or how to effectively treat it. I am personally facing challenges that require adaptive equipment to manage day to day activities and have been surprised at the extreme exhaustion that comes with the slightest expenditure of effort. In addition to the physical challenges, navigating the equipment needs and the emotional stresses on me and my family are at times overwhelming. We were so very fortunate to be connected with an amazing social worker at ALS United who is helping us navigate this path and locating equipment that is on loan to us rather than requiring us to purchase every item. This is obviously a difficult time I am facing but I think it is so important to support this amazing organization and give to help other patients like me and their families. I hope that someday a cure can be found so that no one ever has to receive the news that they or their loved one has ALS. Thank you for joining us in giving.

Thank you for helping me reach my ALS Walk fundraising goal! The Walk raises funds to support those affected by ALS and to spread awareness of the urgency to find 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.