Help Marisa raise money

One of my closest friends, Sarah Langs, was diagnosed with ALS before turning 30 years old.

Anyone who knows Sarah, or is familiar with her stellar work for MLB and ESPN as a reporter and researcher, knows that she approaches everything in her life with unbridled enthusiasm, passion, and positivity — not to mention empathy and selflessness.

And now, even in the face of ALS, Sarah’s exceptionality is as boundless as ever. As she fights this disease, Sarah thinks not of herself but only of what she can do and how she can help those around her and others fighting ALS.   

In a recent interview with MLB, Sarah was asked how she stays positive and finds joy. In true Sarah fashion, her first answer was baseball. But, then she reflected that “it’s also me. I just don’t see any point in being any other way. If I were to feel sorry for myself, what’s that really accomplishing? So I’d rather just be happy and have this approach.”

Sarah and I first met working on the 6pm SportsCenter for ESPN back in December of 2016. I was just starting out as a researcher for the Stats and Information group, and she was showing me the ropes as a savvy veteran who was widely-respected and wholly-regarded as the best in the business. I remember that first day vividly — not because I spilled piping hot tea down the front of my new white sweater (something she and I still laugh about) — as I knew that I was in the presence of excellence, and I was being mentored by the best of the best. I came home from work that day in awe of Sarah as a strong, intelligent, and independent woman honing her professional craft, blessed that I had made a friend for life.

Sarah is my inspiration. She is my why.

Sarah is giving everything she has to fight ALS and spread awareness regarding the disease and finding a cure. She is pushing on with amazing courage, fortitude, spirit, and will. 

Join me as I honor my friend Sarah and all those fighting ALS when I run with Team ALS ONE in the Falmouth Road Race on August 20th, 2023, by pledging $25 to $250. If you can or choose to donate, please include a song that brightens your day or that you like to run to.

Thank you, on behalf of Sarah and all those in search of a cure for ALS.