Seven years ago on April 4, 2016, my husband Tom passed away at age 48 from ALS. He was a man devoted to his young family, determined to live life as fully as possible for his three children, Carson, Andrew and Kate. It was a grueling five year illness and by the last couple years he had lost just about everything physically--all ability to care for himself, to talk, to eat naturally, and to move, yet he inspired so many with his sense of humor, faith, unending perseverance and love for his family and friends. We miss him every single day and will never fill the void of not having him in our lives. 

In Tom’s memory, please join us at the ALS again walk this 11th year to help people like ourselves in the Washington DC area, to support research and spread awareness of the urgency to find treatments. ALS is relentless and non discriminatory, drastically affecting patients as well as their caregiving families. 

Help make a difference and please consider walking with us and/or sponsoring me. With your help, we will be able to make a difference in the lives of people affected by this disease. I encourage you to get your friends, family, neighbors and coworkers involved.

We sincerely thank you for your generosity of time and money today and in years past, for remembering Tom, and for helping find a cure for others.  We ask that you continue to pray for all those families who have been impacted by ALS.

 

With gratitude,

Ursula Schaefer

 

 

Lou Gehrig's Disease, or 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 though support is bringing researchers closer to an answer. In the mean time it costs an average of $200,000 a year to provide the care ALS patients need.