PLEASE JOIN BOBBY K's BRIGADE AT POINT STATE PARK 9/9/23
The Walk to Defeat ALS raises funds to support those affected by ALS and to spread awareness of the urgency to find treatments and a cure.
Bobby K's Brigade has participated in the walk since 2019. We have been blessed by your support and contributions and have raised greater than $100,000! Thank you so very much!
We participated in the 'Walk your Way' option in 2021 in our North Hills neighborhood. Many thanks to you for helping us raise > $30,000 for our ALS Association Western PA Chapter. Last year we walked at the Point--again raising > $30,000 and our robust team was comprised of > 50 family, friends, neighbors and colleagues. We are hoping you will join us again this year and would like to increase our number of team members as well as the amount of money that we raise for the Chapter. This year, the Walk will be held at Point State Park. The venue is beautiful and the emotion and camaraderie is palpable.
We walk for my brother Bob who began developing difficulty walking, leg weakness, stiffness and spasticity ~ 2018. After many visits to multiple hospitals, numerous diagnostic studies and lab testing the diagnosis was received. The urgent question of 'How do we navigate this?' was answered when Bob was linked with the Chapter and their amazing, selfless team members who actually really take the time to know each patient and their family members. Immediate needs were met quickly with equipment from the loan closet, ie: canes, a walker and then the light rider wheelchair that he uses today that allows him to maintain independence at no cost to him. Home modifications were thoughtfully done with grant assistance. The Chapter also provides grants to help with respite care as well as multidisciplinary ALS clinics and research. Eighty percent (80%) of Chapter funding is generated by events like this walk. Remaining funds come from government grants.
Our Chapter currently serves 261 families and 70 are new patients. Sadly, we have lost 96 patients this past year. You may think $1.3 million on programs and services is a lot of money for so few families. However, to put this into perspective, the annual out-of-pocket cost for caring for a person with ALS is $250,000 per year. ALS is an expensive disease.
This is why we walk!: To bring help and hope to those living with the disease. To change the statistics. To ensure that no one ever hears the words: “You Have ALS” again.
Back to Bob: My brother is a courageous man. Living with this disease is not easy mentally, physically or emotionally. Through it all, he continues to work full time and helps take care of light household chores and cooking. 'ALS Walk time' is a very important time for Bob. It brings him hope and makes him keenly aware that he is not alone and that people truly do care. He is also astutely aware that the money made during the walk is instrumental in finding a treatment or a cure.
Again, this is why we walk---We walk for Bob and for others who are living with ALS--and in memory of those who have come before him.-And the key to a cure begins with all of us . Please consider walking with me or sponsoring me. With your help, we will be able to make a difference in the lives of people affected by this horrific disease.
Please follow the links at the bottom of the page to register to walk or to donate.
Thank you so very much!
WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP
- Every 90 minutes, someone is diagnosed with #ALS. In the same period of time, someone will pass away from ALS.
- ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The disease is 100% fatal.
- ALS takes away the ability to walk, dress, write, speak, swallow, and breathe. But, with every scientific advance, we get closer to the cure.
Join me to help change these statistics by making a donation to support my Walk to Defeat ALS efforts.