OUR FINISH LINE SAYS ALS DONE!
In 2014, my mom and Molly's Nana, Judy, was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. At 70 years old and seemingly healthy, she had been a two-time cancer survivor who enjoyed an active lifestyle filled with family and friends, charitable activities, weekly golf in a 9-hole women's league, and regular exercise.
It started with difficulties swallowing and breathing in June of 2014. In August of that year, the Ice Bucket Challenge became a global phenomenon, raising more awareness of ALS, and we began to wonder. Months of doctor visits and tests finally led to the devastating diagnosis in late December. By late February the next year, my mom, once vibrant and active, was no longer able to go up and down stairs, lived with a feeding tube, and began hospice. Over the next few months she was confined to a wheelchair, began losing her voice, and her strength was fading. The deterioration in her health was so rapid.
In the face of this heartbreaking decline, my family rallied around her. We took turns caring for her, spending as much time with her as we could. Despite the overwhelming challenges, there was a beacon of hope—my mom’s determination to meet her 11th grandchild - and she did, spending every Tuesday with her new grandson. Her strength and positivity were an inspiration.
As my family dealt with this, I found a way to channel my emotions into action. I decided to run the Falmouth Road Race to raise money for ALS care and research. I had run it a dozen times before, but never for charity. Since 2015, with your incredible generosity and support, you've helped to raise $83,200. And the ALS One Falmouth Road Race teams have raised $2.6M since the organization was founded in 2016.This money has directly supported critical research, provided essential care resources, and supplied vital equipment for those battling ALS.
My mom passed away on race day in 2015. Every step we take in this 7.2 mile race from Woods Hole to Falmouth Heights beach is fueled by memories of my mom’s grace and courage and the unwavering support of friends like you. Your contributions have made a tangible difference in the lives of ALS patients and their families, offering hope and support where it’s needed most.
As we prepare for this year's race, we are once again reaching out to you for your support. Your donation, no matter the size, will help us continue to fund research towards drug therapies and a cure, and provide much-needed assistance to those affected by this devastating disease.
You can learn more about ALS One and its powerful network of world leaders in ALS research and care on their website.
Please join us in making a difference. Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support.
Warmly,
Molly & Christine
Description
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page for the 2024 Falmouth Road Race - supporting ALS research & care for ALS ONE.
Your support means the world to me and to all of us and will help to advance critical research at MGH, UMass Medical School, and ALS TDI, while providing essential equipment such as lifts, ramps, wheelchairs and assistive technology devices to individuals currently living with ALS via our care team at Compassionate Care ALS - all incredible partners that make up ALS ONE.
Your donation is fully tax-deductible, as ALS ONE is a 501c3 non-profit organization (EIN #47-4984263).
To learn more about ALS ONE, visit their website at: https://alsone.org/
A big THANK YOU to all who have donated so far!
Donation date | Donor name | Donation amount |
---|---|---|
Aug 12 | Kelly Fagel | $28.10 |
Aug 12 | Erin Walsh Moxley | Undisclosed amount |
Aug 12 | McCormick Family | $109.85 |
Aug 11 | Cassandra Harris | Undisclosed amount |
Aug 09 | Kathleen H | Undisclosed amount |
Aug 09 | Betsy Cullen | $55.35 |
Aug 08 | Heather Martin | $100.00 |
Aug 07 | Mara | $109.85 |
Aug 07 | Bill and Ellen Lennon | $50.00 |
Aug 07 | Anonymous | Undisclosed amount |