ALS walk raises over $100,000 for research and treatment
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Saturday morning, at least 125 people gathered in Bethel Park to walk a mile for ALS.
The ALS Association raised $105,000 at this weekend's Walk to Defeat ALS. The money raised goes to education, advocacy and treatment. Sixteen teams from around mid-Missouri participated.
This was one of nine walks the mid-America chapter of the ALS Association has planned.
ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a disease that attacks the nervous system. It causes nerve cells to break down, which leads to muscle weakness. The cause of ALS is unknown, and while treatments may ease pain, there is no cure.
The team that raised the most money was Team Tiger, with over $65,000. The 46 people on Team Tiger walked for John "Tiger" Cleek, who is battling ALS.
Cleek said he has always been a fighter and fighting ALS has only strengthened his faith.
"You know what it can't do?" Cleek said. "It can't hurt my spirit."
Cleek receives treatment at MU Health Care from Dr. Rick Barohn, who came to the walk to support his patients.
"I'm proud that MU Health Care can be on the cutting edge of trying new research drugs for ALS cause we will defeat this disease," Barohn said.
Colleen Wachter, executive director of the mid-America chapter of the ALS Association, said she hopes the event brought community to those who has to go through the pandemic with ALS.
"It can sometimes feel like you're all alone fighting this disease, but when you come out and see you all these people--I mean we've got hundreds of people here today--you don't feel so alone and you feel like you have people that are fighting this fight with you," Wachter said.
The ALS Association and Team Tiger are still accepting donations.
Watch ABC 17 News at 10 p.m.
