Arlington Heights Man With ALS, Family Ready For Walk For Life At Soldier Field

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — It has been nearly 20 years since Arlington Heights resident Robert Akins was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. This weekend, Akins and his family will be taking part in the 24th annual ALS Walk for Life at Solider Field in Chicago.

The event, which raises money for the Les Turner ALS Foundation, is scheduled for 10:30 am. Saturday. According to organizers, the walk is the biggest ALS gathering in the Midwest.

"We're building teams, raising funds for essential care and research, and turning the tide in the fight against this disease," the event's website says. "Whether you walk in honor of someone living with ALS or in memory of someone you've lost, this is an event you can't miss. We'll have food trucks, photo ops, kids' activities, and much more. Together, we'll walk for hope — and we'll walk for life."

Akins was an engineer at Motorola, traveling all over the world, before he was diagnosed with ALS. Since the diagnosis in 2006, his disease has progressed, and he now uses a wheelchair.

According to the Les Turner ALS Foundation, the effects of ALS grow more severe over time and eventually become fatal. The symptoms and progression of ALS may vary greatly from person to person, which can make the disease difficult to diagnose, manage and treat.

The Les Turner ALS Foundation was founded in 1977 by the family and friends of Les Turner, who was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 36. At the time, the foundation says information and research on ALS was almost non-existent, leaving families without guidance, support, or hope in the face of this terrible disease.

Eventually, the foundation raised enough funds to help establish one of the nation's first ALS research laboratories at Northwestern Medicine in 1979.

Akins' team for the Walk for Life is known as "Rob's Mob." He and his team members are walking for their third year in a row. Some teams have walked for 20 years or more, according to Laura Freveletti, CEO of the Les Turner ALS Foundation.

"All those who join us to celebrate and support those living with ALS understand the many parts of this disease," Freveletti said. "We are not only raising money to find a cure. We are also supporting families and caregivers who must learn to care for their loved one who has ALS."

To learn more about the ALS Walk for Life and the Les Turner ALS Foundation, visit the organization's website here.