Hundreds To Walk For ALS Fundraiser
MILFORD (WWJ) - Hundreds of people across southeast Michigan are going to "Walk and Roll" for ALS on Sunday at Kensington Metropark in Milford and Stony Creek Metropark in Shelby Township.
Over one thousand people suffer from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, which diminishes the brain and spinal cord's ability to maintain talking, moving and breathing.
Executive Director Sue Burnstein-Kahn said they have raised $2 million dollars over the past decade, adding that the proceeds help provide patients with respite care and equipment that allows them to lead their lives.
"It's a very difficult disease to diagnose. It's really done through a process of elimination. So, as our diagnostic procedures get better, we think its become a little easier to diagnose people."
"We help them stay connected to all sorts of equipment. Even to the point of someone who has completely lost their ability to move, we have what are called eye-gauge systems, where they can completely control computers and speech devices, just with the movement of their eyes," she continued.
And, all the proceeds from the "Walk and Roll for ALS" event stay right here in Michigan.
"The AAC center has helped 250 to 300 people. Our RespiCare program has provided well over a million dollars worth of RespiCare. That's our goal. Our goal is all about making living with ALS as easy as possible."
Another walk is scheduled next Saturday October 1st at Lake Erie Metropark in Brownstown. Learn more at their website, alsofmichigan.org.
