ALS fundraising walk set for Saturday

June is ALS awareness month.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, or motor neuron disease) is a disease that gradually paralyzes people because the brain is no longer able to communicate with the muscles of the body that we are typically able to move at will. Over time, as the muscles of the body break down, someone living with ALS will lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, swallow, and eventually breathe.

On Saturday a local but virtual walk will take place to raise funds for the disease. Organizer Tammy Brown joined Q101 to discuss how the idea was born.

“I wanted to do a fundraiser and walk for my dad,” began Tammy. “Due to COVID-19 it will be a virtual walk. It started out with just me, and it has actually turned out to be a bit bigger than that.”

Tammy’s dad Tony was diagnosed with ALS two years ago.

“I still walk lots, but I can’t do any manual labour with my right arm not as strong as it used to be,” said Tony.

The original goal for the walk was $1,000 but with that far surpassed the family is hoping to hit $10,000.

*Listen to the full interview with Roger White below