Walk to defeat ALS is this weekend in Missoula

MISSOULA — The ALS Association Evergreen Chapter’s 8th annual Missoula Walk to Defeat ALS will take place at McCormick Park in Missoula on Saturday.

Pam Hillery and Brendan Brady, two Havre people with ALS, will be participating with their families and friends.

  Registration for the walk starts at 10 a.m. with the opening ceremony beginning at 10:45 a.m.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. The disease robs people of the ability to walk, to talk and even blink an eye. It traps them inside a body they no longer can control and ultimately prevents them from breathing as it takes their life.  People with ALS lose the power to use their legs, hold someone close, and simply say, “I love you,” before their bodies gradually shut down.

There is no known cause of the disease, although military veterans are approximately twice as likely to develop ALS as the general population.

Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS, and every 90 minutes someone loses their battle to this fatal disease. Living with ALS can cost up to $250,000 annually, depleting families of all savings.  A short video produced by The ALS Association describing the Walk to Defeat ALS can be viewed on The Association’s You Tube Channel.

“We look forward to this year’s eighth Annual Missoula Walk, which is our biggest fundraiser that helps our chapter provide support to those individuals and families living with ALS,” said Becky Moore, the Evergreen chapter’s executive director. 

Dignitaries speaking at this year’s Walk include Debra Frandsen, representative of U.S. Sen. Jon Tester and Montana Lt. Gov. Angela McLean.

The walk is open to the public, and all funds raised will be donated to the chapter for care services programs in Montana and chapter’s service region and for research and awareness. The chapter offers all services to people with Lou Gehrig’s Disease and their families free of charge. Last year, 340 walkers raised $70,492 for the Missoula Walk.