Walk to Defeat ALS – ALS CONNECT

ALS Reflections from Outgoing Board Chair Dave Van de Riet

At the end of this month, Dave Van de Riet will complete his term as chair of The ALS Association St. Louis Regional Chapter’s Board of Directors. Over the past six and a half years, Dave’s leadership has been characterized by innovative ideas, strategic thinking and an overwhelming commitment to providing quality care to families facing an ALS diagnosis. His energy and passion for the mission will be difficult to match, but he leaves us a better organization and on strong footing for the future.

Dave will continue to serve people with ALS and their families locally in his role as the St. Louis Walk to Defeat ALS® Chair; as a member of the fund development, finance and executive committees; and in a national capacity as vice chair of The ALS Association’s Governance Committee and member of the Board of Representatives.

Thank you Dave, for your extraordinary leadership and tireless dedication to our mission and the people we serve.

In this post, Dave reflects on his tenure as Board Chair.

Back in July of 2012, I was honored to become the board chairman of the ALS Association St. Louis Regional Chapter. I had no idea what kind of journey it would be. Certainly, I had some idea of the responsibilities, the meetings and the commitment. I had the pleasure of serving as Vice Chair while watching past Chair Rick Palank ably lead the Board and along with our President/CEO – Maureen Barber Hill – establish a very strong foundation for the stability and success of the Chapter. What I didn’t know, however, was how much the job could change me.

Fighting in Memory of Grandma Ann

By Molly Cruitt

Earlier this summer, I got married at the church I grew up in, three days after my grandmother’s 78^th birthday. My grandmother wasn’t there.

It’s been almost a full decade since my grandma lost her battle with ALS plus dementia, and it’s easy to get lost thinking of all the things she’s missed and the moments that will continue to happen without her present.

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Josh Rogers: Why I Walk to Defeat ALS

By Josh Rogers, Senior Vice President & Partner, FleishmanHillard

A few weekends ago, I was jogging past Steinberg Rink in Forest Park and I remembered the first Walk to Defeat ALS® that I attended. The Walk started and finished at Steinberg. That was 2005 or 2006, I think. I participated in two Walks at Steinberg. Then the event shifted to the Forest Park Visitor’s Center. And this year, we’re moving again to the upper Muny parking lot.

Each location to date has served us very well as the event has grown. And I know our new spot will be great too. Forest Park is such a wonderful institution … it’s impossible to go wrong with an event in the park.

Continue reading Josh Rogers: Why I Walk to Defeat ALS

The Rudin Family Keeps on Truckin’ at the Walk to Defeat ALS®

When you attend a Walk to Defeat ALS®, you’ll be surrounded by hundreds of people who have been touched by this disease, each with their own story of how ALS has impacted their lives. Some are still fighting, and complete the route in their wheelchairs, next to an army of supporters cheering them on. Some have lost someone special to the disease, but are committed to continuing the fight in memory of their friend or loved one. All are warriors in the fight to defeat ALS.

Chatham, Illinois resident Ben Rudin was just 40 years old and the father of two young sons when he was diagnosed with ALS. He and his wife, Rebecca, participated in the Springfield Walk to Defeat ALS®, forming a team of family and friends to walk in support of a cure and to fund care for people living with the disease. An avid music lover and fan of the musical group, the Drive By Truckers, the family named their team, Truckin’ with Ben.

Continue reading The Rudin Family Keeps on Truckin’ at the Walk to Defeat ALS®

Get Involved in the Fight Against ALS

May is ALS Awareness Month, a great time to get involved in the fight against ALS. In an earlier blog post, we told you a little about how you can be a voice for families living with an ALS diagnosis by becoming an ALS Advocate. This week, we want to introduce you to some other ways you can have some fun and make a difference!

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Don and Claire Bratcher: Imagining a World without ALS

ALS Association volunteers are a special breed of superhero — they are the heart and soul of this Chapter. They give up countless hours of their personal time to provide us with all manner of help – in the office, in the homes of people living with ALS, on our board of directors, as public policy advocates, on our committees, at our special events – without asking for anything in return.

So many of our volunteers have been personally impacted by ALS, and have seen up close and personal the devastation the disease brings upon a family. These wonderful people become volunteers to fight for a cure and to ensure that other families are supported physically and emotionally on their disease journey.

Two of those special volunteers are Don and Claire Bratcher, who have been ALS warriors and volunteers for close to 15 years. Claire recently agreed to share their story and we’re delighted to post it here in her own words.

Continue reading Don and Claire Bratcher: Imagining a World without ALS

Why We Walk to Defeat ALS: Team Tammy Hardy

After a six-year journey with ALS riddled with highs and lows, our beloved Tammy lost her life at the age of 39. Yep, 39. You might be thinking, “man, that’s young.” You’re right. It is. Tammy left behind a family and many friends who adored her. For the ninth year, we will once again come together as Team Tammy Hardy in the Walk to Defeat ALS. This is why.

Continue reading Why We Walk to Defeat ALS: Team Tammy Hardy