Help Mike raise money

Why I Run: For Pete, My Dad, and the Mission to End ALS

When I stepped onto the football field for our very first day of high school practice years ago, I didn't just find a teammate in Pete Frates—I found a lifelong brother. From those grueling summer practices to every milestone that followed, Pete’s relentless drive, humor, and incredible heart set the standard for everyone around him.

When Pete was diagnosed with ALS, his fight became our fight. Alongside the remarkable Frates family, who have embraced me as one of their own, we turned heartbreak into a relentless movement. Today, I have the profound honor of serving as the Executive Director of the Peter Frates ALS Foundation, carrying forward Pete’s legacy to support ALS patients and their families when they need it most.

This mission hits home for me on a deeply personal level. In addition to losing Pete, I lost my own father to a similar neurodegenerative disease. I know firsthand the devastating toll these conditions take on a family—the daily sacrifices, the emotional weight, and the urgent need for real support and a cure.

That’s why I’m taking on the Falmouth Road Race. Every mile along the coast is for Pete, for my dad, and for every family navigating the overwhelming reality of a neurodegenerative diagnosis. We won't stop until we finish what Pete started. 

It might be Lou Gehrig's disease, but it's going to be Pete's cure!