A MESSAGE FROM JIM & MICKIE

After 2 years of virtual walks we are thrilled that this year's Walk to Defeat ALS will be in person again! We are looking forward to seeing and catching up with so many friends and other teams on Sunday, September 18 at Coffman Park in Dublin. The Walk has always been an uplifting day to be surrounded by so much support.

We continue our fight with this disease. The official diagnosis was 9 years ago and Jim continues to beat the odds. In addition to medicine and modifications to help with this battle, there is nothing better than our family. We welcomed another granddaughter last year which brings the total to 2 grandsons and 3 granddaughters. The entertainment they provide is priceless and it is such a joy to watch them grow. It makes us so proud to see our children turn into the wonderful parents they are.

Through the participation of people living with ALS and the community, there have been several significant accomplishments. Acceleration of new treatments through more clinical trials and expanded access to investigational drugs is now possible with the passing of the ACT for ALS. The 2-year waiting period for people living with ALS to receive Medicare benefits was eliminated. Federal funding was increased from $20 million to $40 million at the Department of Defense ALS Research Program, and from $83 million to $100 million at the National Institutes of Health for research to find new treatments and a cure. The Department of Veterans Affairs has designated ALS as a service-connected disease which will ensure veterans living with ALS and their survivors have access to VA benefits, including health care and disability benefits.

In Ohio the ALS license plate is now available through your local BMV or online at oplates.com. This special interest license plate uses beautiful imagery to raise awareness for ALS. Every ALS Awareness License Plate purchase includes a $25 contribution that goes directly to The ALS Association Northern Ohio Chapter. The plate features sunflowers as they stand tall, strong and hopeful. They grow in clusters and support each other as they grow, just as family, friends, and community offer support to those with ALS.

We want to thank you for your continued support over the past several years!

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains

You raise me up, so I can walk on stormy seas

I am strong when I am on your shoulders

You raise me up…..to be more than I can be

- Josh Groban

2022 WALK to Defeat ALS:  Sunday, September 18, 2022

Walk Check-in: 9:30 AM and Walk Start: 11:00 AM

Dublin Coffman Park - 5200 Emerald Parkway, Dublin, OH 43017

 

OUR TEAM

We chose this team name because Jim's personal brand is best defined by his mustache.  Jim's children have never seen him without it.  It is a symbol of strength that was made popular in the 70's and 80's, probably even before.  The strength and power and sophistication of a man rocking a serious mustache also translated into quite the sex symbol from this time period i.e. MAGNUM PI and one of the most famous generational mustaches owned by Tom Selleck.

 

What is ALS?

Often referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease, 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 an ALS patient averages 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis.

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 crippling disease can strike anyone. Presently there is no known cause of the disease yet it still costs loved ones an average of $200,000 a year to provide the care ALS patients need. Help make a difference and donate or join a walk today.