ALS, also 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, 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 say, “I love you,” before their bodies gradually shut down. . From onset to diagnosis, life expectancy is 2 – 5 years.
The Walk to Defeat ALS® is the #1 way to empower yourself to lend support to those fighting the disease and caring for someone living with ALS. Every year, thousands of people across the country come together to raise funds to support care service programs, enable cutting-edge research, and advance nationwide advocacy efforts for people with ALS and their families.