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Ride to Defeat ALS - Sunday, September 19, 2021

Longfellow Health Club, Wayland, MA

**You've raised $79,639 which is 32% of our $250,000 goal!**

We are so excited to announce our new partnership with Kith & Kin (based right in Hudson) who will be providing lunch to all our Riders! They are graciously donating the food; we are so grateful and so excited to have them part of this event.

REGISTER FOR THE RIDE TO DEFEAT ALS

Welcome to Our Newly Registered Ride to Defeat ALS Teams:

Team ME
Still Kate & Wes
Hudson Outbacks
Dave Z's Antiques
Riding for Sandy
The Green Mountain Boys
Team BuLL
Team Manny
Team Bruce
The Sweet Team

Congratulations to Our Top Fundraising Teams:

AppleFriends4AALS: $23,251
Team Hope: $15,535
Abbady Strong: $4,485

Congratulations to Our Top Fundraising Individuals:

Dolly McIlvaine: $14,635
Steve Kowalski: $9,226
Mary Ioven: $4,185

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Worcester Walk to Defeat ALS - Sunday, September 26, 2021

Polar Park, Worcester, MA

**You've raised $46,401 which is 46% of our $100,000 goal!**

This year we’re thrilled to be teaming up with The Worcester Red Sox to host our Worcester Walk to Defeat ALS IN PERSON on September 26th at the brand new Polar Park. 

Once we kick off the event with our opening ceremonies, walk or roll our 1-mile course right on the baseball field. Afterwards, join us for a delicious lunch at the concession stands, offering a smattering of classic ballpark food and drink!

We can’t wait to welcome special guest Smiley, the Woo Sox’s iconic mascot, stopping by to encourage all of us on our walk. Be sure to flag Smiley down for a photo with your team! 

Additionally, the Worcester team that raises the most money will get to enjoy a luxury box for the day! This leisurely suite has room for 15 team members, boasting both an interior and exterior space. Who’s going to win?!

REGISTER FOR THE WORCESTER WALK TO DEFEAT ALS

Welcome to Our Newly Registered Worcester Walk Teams:

Cosmic Dancer
Wild Fire 3838
Christine's Acton Crew
Walk for ALS
South High NHS

Congratulations to Our Top Fundraising Teams:

Mommagranate: $4,475
Brenda's Firecrackers: $2,746
Shakey's Band of Misfits: $1,660

Congratulations to Our Top Fundraising Individuals:

Catherine Prato: $1,775
Grace Flaherty: $1,561
William Jaillet: $1,145

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Boston Walk to Defeat ALS - Sunday, October 3, 2021

Carson Beach, Boston, MA

**You've raised $72,506 which is 16% of our $450,000 goal!**

We are counting down the days until October 3rd when we can all finally reunite at Carson Beach for our 2021 Boston Walk to Defeat ALS! For the first time ever, we’re introducing a theme for the Boston Walk: HALLOWEEN!

Dust off your witch hats and pumpkin pails; we’ll have everything from trick or treating and costume contests to games and activities. There will be something for everyone in the family!

Register today to join in on the fun and help us continue our mission of supporting Massachusetts families with ALS and creating a world without this horrible disease. We promise this year’s walk will be a spooky good time! 

REGISTER FOR THE BOSTON WALK TO DEFEAT ALS

Welcome to Our Newly Registered Boston Walk Teams:

Yumanity 
Josie
Xaverian Brothers
Walk 4 PAPA
The Borter Bunch
Cuttyhunk Joe Motion
Debbie's Dynamos
Arranta Bio
Team DEL
#ShifStrong
Team Ienello
Patty's Power
Team Joel Markowitz
Team Broquist
Arms Wide Open
Insight Global

Congratulations to Our Top Fundraising Teams:

Reservation Golf Club (In Honor of Bob Wunschel): $14,374
The A team: $7,800
Paul's Peeps: $5,755

Congratulations to Our Top Fundraising Individuals:

Pat Wunschel: $14,374
Sean McSweeney: $5,553
Tom Garfield: $3,150

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Western Mass Walk to Defeat ALS -  Sunday, October 10, 2021

Look Memorial Park, Florence, MA

**You've raised $17,501 which is 17.5% of our $100,000 goal!**

We have missed seeing you all so much over the past two years and cannot wait to Walk to Defeat ALS IN PERSON at Look Park on October 10th! To celebrate coming back together, we're introducing our first ever Artisan Alley. This spin on a local farmer's market will bring together Western MA’s premiere local vendors offering delicious food and drink. 

Join us in welcoming these local vendors who will be in attendance: 

Artifact Cider Project
My Main Squeeze
Crooked Stick Pops
Black Cats Pottery
Nancy's Chocolates
Happy Nest Creations
How Charming
Yard Garb

REGISTER FOR THE WESTERN MASS WALK TO DEFEAT ALS

Welcome to Our Newly Registered Western MA Walk Teams:

Andrew's Journey
Electric Elly
Mary's Minions
Ms Hogan's Main Squeezes
Team Jeff
Team Violet
The Hub

Congratulations to Our Top Fundraising Teams:

Casey's Cruisers: $7,320
Team Gottlieb: $3,726
Team Jeff: $1,945

Congratulations to Our Top Fundraising Individuals:

Amanda Shumway: $5,020
Tara Gottlieb: $3,726
Virginia Wilson: $1,945

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North Shore Walk to Defeat ALS - Sunday, October 17, 2021

Endicott College, Beverly, MA

**You've raised $14,550 which is 10% of our $140,000 goal!**

REGISTER FOR THE NORTH SHORE WALK TO DEFEAT ALS

Welcome to Our Newly Registered North Shore Walk Teams:

Team Snow
Team Fogarty
Lidia's League
Team Daigle
Merrimack Nursing Club
Boardway Bunch
Comcast GBR North 3
Team O'Brien
Team Endicott
Worth the Waite
Stormy

Congratulations to Our Top Fundraising Teams:

Paige walkers: $5,500
Yiayia Dukes: $3,250
Monkey: $1,400

Congratulations to Our Top Fundraising Individuals:

Leslie Pearlman: $5,500
Sophia Stamos: $3,250
Samantha Allan: $1,400

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Who do YOU walk for when you Walk to Defeat ALS?

We want to hear YOUR story!

We all have our reasons for Walking to Defeat ALS - and we want to hear yours! Send us a picture or two with a few sentences about why you or your team participates in the Massachusetts Walk to Defeat ALS. We want to share your story with our Massachusetts ALS community! Featured participants and teams will be showcased on the Chapter's social media with a direct link to their fundraising page! 

Submit Your Story & Photos Here

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We completely understand that some folks in our community might not feel comfortable coming to our in-person events this year. With that in mind, and so that everyone can still participate, we are happy to announce that we will once again offer a virtual attendance option! 

Watch Our Recent Video to Learn More

The Worcester Walk to Defeat ALS will be streamed LIVE from Polar Park on September 26th. You don’t need a Facebook account to participate – we will be sending the link to all virtual attendees with instructions on how to watch.

This virtual option is for any walk participants who wish to join us remotely no matter what region you’re tuning in from. Whether you usually attend the Worcester Walk, Western MA, Boston, or North Shore, you can register as a Worcester Walk participant to walk remotely and help us reach our fundraising goals that contribute to our mission of serving families affected by ALS throughout the Commonwealth.

Register Today to Walk With Us Virtually

Make sure you're following us and keep an eye on our social media for updates on all our events and MORE throughout the year! 

Facebook Instagram Twitter 

YouTube LINKEDIN

Is your company interested in getting involved with our chapter or events?

Contact Ashley Carrier

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Save the Date: December 14, 2021

We're excited to once again offer our Virtual ALS Symposium this year! Mark your calendars for December 14th and join us to learn more about research updates, advocacy efforts in research and expanded access, and more! Stay tuned for more details in the coming months.

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Presenting Debbie Petrovsky Poetry: A Special September Double Feature

Debbie Petrovsky, a woman with ALS residing in Massachusetts, pens poetry to articulate her experience living with the disease. Her unique expression is unique to her experience yet offers insight for those looking to learn more about the challenges of ALS. In this latest edition, we are pleased to feature two pieces submitted by Debbie. 

Read Debbie's Poetry Here

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Coming Soon: A New In Person/Virtual Hybrid Community Group

Stay tuned for details from our Care Services team in the coming weeks regarding a new in person/virtual attendance hybrid community group. This group will meet in the Natick Public Library! 

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Communication Device Donations Needed in Massachusetts!

We need your help! We rely on donations of dedicated speech generating devices (SGDs), with and without eye tracking cameras for our Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology (AT) Loan Program. We also rely on donations of SGD mounts (wheelchair and rolling floor mounts). Our current eyegaze device inventory in our AAC/AT loan program is critically low. If you obtained a SGD through insurance and it is no longer being used, please consider donating it to our chapter, so we can help another person with ALS in need.

The Impact of COVID-19 on AAC Services: Access to AAC evaluations with qualified speech-language pathologists has been challenging during the COVID pandemic and Medicare does not cover these evaluations when they are delivered via telehealth. Therefore, it can be difficult for people with ALS to obtain necessary SGDs through their insurance. For people with ALS living in long term care facilities with severely restricted visitation due to COVID-19, a loaned SGD may serve as their only safe connection with their family and friends. Your tax-deductible donation can make a significant impact for a person with ALS!

We are seeking SGDs that are preferably less than 4 years old (Please email Jen at [email protected] with questions about donating older devices).

• Tobii Dynavox I-12 or I-15, preferably 2017 or newer, or I-13/I-16
• PRC Accent with NuEye or Look eyegaze
• Eye Gaze Inc. (Formerly LC Technologies) EyeGaze Edge
• Forbes AAC (Formerly FRS) Winslate with Enable Eyes eyegaze camera
• Talk To Me Technologies Zuvo with eyespeak camera
• NeuroNode Trilogy

We are also in need of wheelchair or rolling floor mounts for SGDs. If you would like to donate a wheelchair mount, please let us know the wheelchair year, make and model.

• ConnectIT mounts
• Rehadapt mounts – Classic or Pentalock
• Daessy mounts

Interested in donating?

Please contact Jennifer Chapin, Speech Pathologist and AAC Specialist,

at (781) 234-5307 or via email [email protected].