On June 20, 2014 the beast that is ALS changed Donna's life and mine forever. The first signs were subtle, but concerning. As we went through the phases of diagnosis it became clear that the progression was at work. The next thing we heard and all ALS patients hear is that there is very little that can be done; the progression is relentless and brutal. In 20 months it took her life.

Our first walk was September 2014 and Donna walked with friends and family. By the next September she was too weak to participate in the walk. On December 9, 2015 she passed. Donna’s Warriors have walked every year since. This will be the 10th year. We walk in her memory, to fund research, and to support ALS United Ohio a vital support group for families and patients diagnosed with ALS. Please read below a further description of this beast and why we walk.

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow, and breathe. Every 90 minutes, another person in this country is diagnosed with ALS and another person passes due to ALS. There is currently NO cure and very limited treatment for ALS and that’s unacceptable.

This is why we advocate for ALS United Ohio and we participate in the WalkALS – for those who can’t.

This year, 2024, the WalkALS is September 15th. Donna’s Warriors will be gathering at Ariel-Foundation Park, Mount Vernon, in the Kiwanis Pavilion from 9 am to 11 am. If you would like to join us for our Local Walk/gathering in support of the ALS United Ohio 2024 Walk please contact Amy Quinlivan at 740-398-9568 or email her at quinlivana@kenyon.edu.

If you can help by supporting team Donna’s Warriors with a donation it will go directly to the effort for a cure and the support of those living in Ohio with ALS. All donations are tax deductible.

Sincerely,

Ed O'Connell