2024 Columbus Walk: Ms. Megan Taylor

Uncle Jerry before his last ALS Walk 2022

It’s that time of year again! We are raising money for ALS.

My beloved Grandma died from ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease) when I was in 7th grade and my life has never been the same. Watching her decline and seeing her frustration touched something in me that has never been fully healed.

Last year, at only age 60, ALS came roaring in like the wind before a bad storm and took our dear Uncle Jerry from my family. The previous summer, we were at the City Museum squeezing through tunnels together even though his balance had diminished. By January, he had lost his speech. Then he lost his ability to walk…then he passed away.

Our wonderful cousin also passed away from ALS. This scourge of ALS on our family is a painful one. To lose our dearest loved ones to a devastating disease without a treatment or cure is truly beyond words.

Unsurprisingly, given all of the facts, we found out that ALS is genetic in our family. All of this news has been sobering and unbearably difficult. Only 5-10% of ALS patients have the genetic component. Lucky us.

You can understand my deep want to find a cure as soon as possible. I have seen too much of this disease and what it can do. May you never know its effects. We will walk again this year (and every year) to bring awareness and to find a cure for this devastating disease.

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. When the motor neurons die, the ability to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. When voluntary muscle action is progressively affected, people may lose the ability to speak, eat, move, and breathe.

The only helpful thing I feel I can do is give this disease more exposure and raise funds. We will be walking in September at Coffman Park in Dublin, Ohio to honor and fight for our family members and others who have been impacted by ALS. The money raised will allow scientists to continue their research and give patients the resources they need as the disease progresses.

Also, if you’d like to join our team, please do. The more, the merrier!! You can walk virtually while educating and raising more funds from your own network.

I will be posting things frequently until the walk so you can learn more about ALS. I hope you will consider a donation, no matter how small. I would be deeply grateful. Thank you!!

WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP

Every 90 minutes a person in this country is diagnosed with ALS and every 90 minutes another person will lose their battle against this disease. ALS occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic boundaries.

That’s why we’re participating in the Walk ALS event. To bring hope. To raise awareness. To provide resources and services to families free of charge. To help unlock the mystery of ALS and find the key to treatments a cure. Will you join us?

ABOUT ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. The life expectancy of a person with ALS averages 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis.

ALS can strike anyone. Presently there is no known cause of the disease, yet it still costs loved ones an average of $250,000 a year to provide the care people living with ALS and their families need. Join the movement to provide help and hope today!

Achievements

I Made a Difference!

I supported this event with a personal donation.

Personal Progress:

of Goal

$1,105 Raised

$1,000.00

Fundraising Honor Roll

Ms. Taylor Tot Bake Sale

$118

Anonymous

Maria Sprague

$100

Dillon Fabrizio

$100

Jerry Fabrizio

$100

Ms. Megan Taylor

$54

Maria and Steven Rosenthal

$51

Debra The Great

$51

Megan Taylor

$51

Catherine Blum

$51

Susan Luria

$51

Ms. Megan Taylor

$50

Melody Willis

Jennifer Roston

$50

Rita Treese

$25

Kyle Bogner

$25

Jamie Gore

Stacie Ware

$20

Barbara Ann Candio

$20

John Sprague

Please help us beat ALS!