Les Turner Foundation's ALS walk raises $720,000

More than 5,000 people gathered Saturday, Sept. 10, at Montrose Harbor, in Chicago for the Les Turner ALS Foundation's 10th Annual ALS Walk4Life.

Hosted by meteorologist Phil Schwarz of ABC7, the event featured a 2-mile walk along Chicago's lakefront, as well as children activities, a performance by the Jesse White Tumblers, live music by American English and autographs by former Chicago Bear Keith Van Horne and author Jonathan Eig.

The Les Turner ALS Foundation has raised more than $720,000 through the event and proceeds are still being tabulated. Over the past 10 years, participants in the ALS Walk4Life have collectively raised nearly $7.2 million.

Funds will support medical research and a patient clinic, patient service programs and educational efforts for those affected by ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).

Thousands of volunteers organized into 235 teams who walked in support of a loved one affected by ALS. The largest team, Sandy's Soldiers, was comprised of nearly 200 people who honored Sandy Carrigan of Evanston for his courage as he battles ALS. Sandy's Soldiers collectively raised more than $45,000.

The event brought together people from throughout the country to demonstrate support, hope and community, and to celebrate the recent research announcement made by scientists at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine.

Teepu Siddique, MD, and his team announced they have discovered the common cause of ALS, which could help open the door for the development of treatments for the disease.

“It's an exciting time for the ALS community right now, and the hope and optimism could be felt at the Walk4Life,” said Wendy Abrams, executive director, Les Turner ALS Foundation.

“The event was extra special this year, not only because we honored the 10th anniversary of the walk with our largest crowd to date, but also because the ALS community could celebrate a major scientific breakthrough together.”

During the Opening Ceremony, Debbie Lane, whose husband Jeff has been living with ALS for nearly 10 years, spoke about their journey, their reliance on the Les Turner Foundation, and the ways they manage to live well with the disease.

In addition, Dr. Siddique was recognized for his achievements and received a thundering applause from the crowd.

The ALS Walk4Life would not have been possible without individual and corporate sponsors, as well the generous support from volunteers. ALS Walk4Life sponsors include: ABC7 Chicago, THE MIX 101.9FM, Abt, American Chartered Bank, B & B Catering, The Private Bank, Lettuce Entertain You, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Simply Natural.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, attacks a person's muscles, gradually robbing them of their ability to walk, speak, eat and breathe. The clinical progression can vary widely; however, most people with ALS live two to five years after the onset of symptoms. While some symptoms are treatable, there is currently no prevention or cure.

Les Turner was a Chicago area businessman, husband and father who was diagnosed with ALS in 1976 at the age of 36. Frustrated by the lack of information and research available at the time, Les, his family and friends started the foundation in 1977, just a year before his death.

The Les Turner ALS Foundation is the only independent, publicly supported nonprofit organization in the Chicago area dedicated solely to treating and eliminating ALS. The foundation is affiliated with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, where it funds both a clinical care program and two scientific research laboratories.

For more information about ALS, call (847) 679-3311 or visit www.lesturnerals.org.

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