In honor of Westerville City Schools Board of Education member Cindy Crowe, a team of walkers is being formed to participate in the two-mile Walk to Defeat ALS event, which will take place on Sunday, September 29 at Fred Beekman Park on the campus of The Ohio State University. Westerville City Schools employee Kim Cody is serving as captain, and the team’s motto is, “Westerville Crowes for Cindy!” Money raised from the walk will help lead global research, assist people with ALS, fund multidisciplinary certified clinical care centers, and foster government partnerships.
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 two to five 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. There is no cure, and only one drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) modestly extends survival. The disease costs loved ones an average of $200,000 a year to provide the care ALS patients need.
For information about joining the team or making a donation, please visit http://tinyurl.com/mx9f49t.