On Saturday, March 16, more than 600 people will gather at Dreher South Park in West Palm Beach to join the fight to find a cure for a deadly illness.
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, progressively paralyzes its victims, attacking nerve cells and pathways in the brain or spinal cord, taking away their ability to walk, talk, eat and eventually breathe. ALS has no known cause or cure, but the community is rallying together to change that.
“This kind of community support truly represents what the Walk to Defeat ALS is all about,” said Julie Niehoff, director of communications for the ALS Association Florida Chapter. “These events give hope and help to people affected by ALS and show them they are not alone in their fight.”
Wheelchair-bound patients along with their families and friends will make a two-mile trek in the walk, hoping their steps will make a difference for ALS patients living in Florida. Many who walk have a loved one who is still fighting the deadly disease. Others walk in memory of a loved one who has lost the battle. Many people, without any personal connection, still walk out of a simple concern for those who are suffering with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
With only two to five years to live, these patients have an urgent need, and the community is stepping in to fill it by walking for those who cannot. The Walk to Defeat ALS is the ALS Association’s signature event in which all funds directly support cutting-edge research, programs and patient care. Last year, almost 5,000 people walked in events throughout Florida, raising more than $1 million. Interested walkers should call (888) 257-1717, ext. 119, or register online at www.WalktoDefeatALS.org.
