Glen Ellyn family hosts ALS fundraiser

Every day Sarah Madden goes to work, she's reminded why she does what she does.

Her father, Bob, passed away in 2007 at age 51 from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. A picture of her father, who was well known in the Glen Ellyn community as a police sergeant, sits on her desk.

As executive director of the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Chicago district, Madden oversees the group's fundraising efforts and its programs for local families affected by the neuromuscular disease.

For five years, the nonprofit's A Toast to Life benefit has honored Bob Madden and raised money for ALS research. The annual event has special importance for Madden, who hopes her family and other supporters can help families dealing with the effects of the disease.

“ALS is such a horrible disease. There's no treatments or cures. This event has been our outlet to fight back,” Madden said. “If it helps for some other family down the road, we hope it does.”

Her father, who spent 30 years with the Glen Ellyn Police Department, was diagnosed with ALS in 1999. But he kept working until 2006, when the disease worsened.

“The last years weren't easy, but we could consider ourselves lucky that he was with us and he was able to stay working with the police department for a long time,” Madden said.

Deputy Police Chief Bill Holmer, who worked with Bob Madden, recalls Madden's determination to maintain his day-to-day schedule, even riding a bike to work every day until he was no longer able.

“He was sharp as a tack the entire time he dealt with the disease. Unfortunately, it does deter your body. But he was dogged about fighting it,” Holmer said. “He wasn't going to give up.”

Ever proud of his Irish heritage, Madden was known to play Irish music in his office around St. Patrick's Day. So it was fitting that Madden's last day at work was on that very day in 2006.

The police department established a scholarship in Bob Madden's honor that is given to Glenbard South and West high school seniors who have an interest in law enforcement or criminal justice.

This year's benefit will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago. Organizers expect to raise approximately $50,000, and to have more than 300 attendees. In the last four years, the benefit has raised more than $140,000 for ALS research.

A 22-person committee has been planning the event, which includes a silent auction, raffle and award presentations for those who have been involved in the fight against ALS. Several committee members graduated from Glenbard South and West between 1998 and 2001, and have known Sarah Madden and her brother and sister since then.

“It's taken on a whole life of its own,” Madden said. “It's neat to see all the people that grew up in the same area for the most part.”

Others who aren't from Glen Ellyn, but have just as much a connection to those suffering from ALS, also have gotten involved in organizing the benefit.

Connie Becker and her family have been involved in fundraisers for ALS research in her hometown of Amboy, Ill. Her family has lost 19 people to ALS since her great-great grandmother was the first to be diagnosed. After moving to Chicago 12 years ago, Becker said she began to realize the scope of ALS — that it wasn't unique to her town.

And meeting others through fundraising efforts has helped her cope and understand she isn't alone.

“It's definitely been a bonding experience to be able to talk with somebody who knows, who has been there and done that, so to speak,” Becker said. “We cannot continue to lose my family. We have to find a cure. That's all there is to it. We have to keep having these fundraisers and raising awareness.”

For details about the benefit, visit mdatoasttolife.com.

If you go

What: A Toast to Life, which raises funds for ALS research

When: 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 16

Where: Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago

Cost: $95 in advance, $115 at the door

Details: Four hours of open bar, hors d'oeuvres, presentation of Ben Byer ALS Awareness Award, silent auction and raffle

Info: mdatoasttolife.com