Brilliant sunshine and mild conditions brought people to Jones Park on Saturday for Emporia’s annual Walk to Defeat ALS.
Close to 50 people participated, including Emporia native and ALS Mid-America Leadership Council chairperson Kelly Bosak. She’s watched family develop ALS, and she says she stays involved as a way to help others dealing with the disease.
The annual walk wasn’t the only fundraiser set up to help ALS patients this weekend. Harry and Lloyd’s in Americus hosted a meal and raffle for ALS patients Ray Paige and Danny Williams, part for medical expenses and part for handicapped-accessible improvements to their homes. Organizer Robin Paige, Ray Paige’s wife, says it was heartening to see the support. It’s also gut-wrenching to watch her husband alter his life to deal with the disease.
Proceeds from the official walk support care services through the ALS Mid-America chapter as well as research and advocacy.
ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, essentially destroys nerve and muscle function over time while leaving the brain intact. Bosak says there have been promising developments from the Ice Bucket Challenge days of almost 10 years ago as two medications have been approved, both targeting ALS specifically and one designed to target the gene mutation causing ALS.
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Photos by Chuck Samples/KVOE News
