Wearing T-shirts picturing loved ones who have Lou Gehrig’s disease, about 1,500 people walked around Pepsi Center on Saturday to raise money and awareness for a cure to the fatal illness.
The 3K “Walk to D’Feet ALS,” or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, drew folks young and old, some in wheelchairs, others pushing baby carriages, from throughout the state.
“I just wanted to support Bill and to raise money to find the cause and the cure,” said Joann Adams of Littleton, who walked with her children to support their friend, Bill Boise, who has been battling the disease.
Kristin Bennett, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the ALS Association, said Saturday’s event exceeded expectations before it began.
“Our goal was to raise $125,000, and we had raised $115,000 before the walk even started,” she said.
Bennett said Saturday’s walk was more than a fundraiser.
“It’s about raising awareness about the disease,” she said. “It’s amazing to see how many people would come out on a Saturday to show they have been touched by someone with ALS.”
ALS attacks the body’s motor neurons, making even the simplest movements of walking, speaking and gesturing impossible. Ultimately, the body becomes paralyzed as the mind remains unaffected. There is no known cause or cure for the crippling disease.
Monica Agular walked for her uncle, Paul Waremburg, and echoed the sentiments of many of those around her.
“It’s not to just support our family,” she said. “It’s to support everyone who has the disease and to help find a cure and raise awareness.”
Wearing Lou Gehrig-like New York Yankees jerseys, more than 150 people walked in support of Dave Vidrik, a Genesee man who was diagnosed with ALS two years ago.
“I’ve got people from every chapter in my life walking for me, from my Little League football team to people I met just a couple weeks ago,” Vidrik said. “Today is all about awareness.”
The association will sponsor two more events, in Grand Junction on Oct. 2 and in Fort Collins on Oct. 16.
Staff writer Michael McCollum can be reached at 303-820-8210 or mmccollum@denverpost.com.
