Westchester Walk to Defeat ALS

This Sunday, June 23rd approximately 750 people will gather for the 12th Annual Westchester Walk to Defeat ALS, presented by the ALS Association Greater New York Chapter. This year’s Walk will take place at a NEW location – the campus of Manhattanville College in Purchase. Over 50 participating teams have raised money and awareness to find a cure for Lou Gehrig’s Disease and help those patients and their families currently battling the illness.

Rain or shine, teams from throughout Westchester County and surrounding areas will converge on the scenic campus, carrying signs and banners, and wearing pictures of loved ones lost to the devastating disease. Several people living with ALS themselves will be in attendance, some in wheelchairs and others without the ability to speak, but bolstered by the love and support of family and friends.

To kick off the event, the crowd will hear from Dorine Gordon, President & CEO of the ALS Association Greater New York Chapter, local elected officials, and Walk Co-Chairs Bill & Fran Monti of North Salem and Mark & Donna Rubin of Bronxville.

The Greater New York Chapter hosts four multi-disciplinary care ALS clinics in the region, as well as seven support groups, the newest of which is in White Plains, held the second Tuesday of each month.  The ALS Association also loans durable medical equipment and augmentative communications devices to patients and caregivers.  All services are provided at no cost to the patient.

Approximately 30,000 Americans are currently living with ALS, with 5,600 new diagnoses each year.  Upon diagnosis, the average life expectancy is just 2-5 years.  While research remains hopeful and clear advances have been made, there is no known cause, no effective treatment, and no cure for ALS.

Before and after the Walk there will be family friendly activities such as face painting, live music, mascots, refreshments, and other fun & games. Proceeds from the Walk benefit The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter.  As one of The ALS Association's leading chapters, the Greater New York Chapter covers Westchester County, New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and Central & Northern New Jersey and plays a major role in promoting the mission to lead the fight to cure and treat ALS. 

Walk activities will commence at 9:30am. For more information on ALS or Chapter services, visit www.als-ny.org. For more information on the Walk to Defeat ALS, visit www.alswalks.org. Hope to see you on Sunday taking strides to strike out ALS.