Walk to Defeat ALS

Huntsville will soon be hosting the ALS Walk, and we need your support!

Some of you may know ALS by its more common name, Lou Gehrig’s disease. As many as 30,000 people currently are afflicted with this disease, with more than 5,600 people being diagnosed with it every year.  ALS is a neuromuscular disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, slowly degenerating the motor neurons in the body.  Muscles begin to atrophy, and eventually it results in paralysis and death.

The causes of ALS are not fully understood, but progress is being made, and there are drugs now that will help to slow the progression ALS.  Groups such as the ALS Association have spent millions on ALS research.  They also work with ALS patients and their families to provide care and services to them.  The financial cost to families supporting a loved one with ALS is very high, and during the late stages care can cost as much as $200,000 a year.

The walk is planned for August 28, 2010, and will be held at the Joe Davis Stadium.  Walkers will check in at 10:00 A.M., and the walk will start at 11:00 A.M.  To join the Grace Team, go to http://www.walktodefealals.org/.  To donate, go to the same website, and search for either our team "Thrivent's Grace Lutheran Church" or a team member and click on their name to make a donation on their behalf.  Our fundraising goal is $2000, and Thrivent will match up to that amount.

Hope to see you all out there!

For more information, please contact Pam Harmon or Clint Camealy.