WS Chronicle

Based on a U.S. population study, each year more than 6,000 people are diagnosed with ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

While medicine has come a long way over the years and several research studies have investigated possible risk factors for the disease more needs to be done to find a cure, and last week hundreds did their part to fight back when they participated in the annual Walk to Defeat ALS.

Hosted by the ALS Association, the annual event serves as an outlet for communities across the country to demonstrate their concern for and the urgent need to find the cure for ALS. Throughout the month of April, walks were held across the country.

The event held here in Winston-Salem was held on Saturday, April 28. Before participants lined up at the starting line outside BB&T Field, Jerry Dawson, president and CEO of the N.C. Chapter of the ALS Association, said he wakes up every day expecting a breakthrough.  He mentioned currently the organization funds 120 global research projects in eight countries around the world and 130 clinical trials. 

He said, “Every morning I wake up expecting a breakthrough and I think you all should feel that excitement too. This is the most hopeful time that there ever has been for ALS research. So lets be thankful for that.”

After Councilmember Dan Besse read a proclamation marking the event, participants began their two-mile trek around BB&T Stadium.

Although the fundraiser fell short of its goal to raise $140,000, according to the ALS official website the Winston-Salem Walk to Defeat ALS raised $81,612.

Top fundraisers for the event were; Gary Angell, Harrison Anderson, Andries Sebastian, Pamela Burns, Robin Anserson, Tammy Douglas, Lisa Thomas, Kay Fraizer, Winborne Chandler and Lynn Dixson.