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The Power of Community is Key to Help Brake ALS 

September 22, 2018

More than 1,200 participants, volunteers, and members of the community came together for a family-friendly day of celebration, exercise, education, awareness, music, food, and family fun at The ALS Association Golden West Chapter’s 14th annual Napa Valley Ride to Defeat ALS and Walk on Saturday, September 22. Together, these dedicated individuals raised more than $920,000 on event day toward a $1 million goal to fund the mission priorities of the Golden West Chapter in care services, advocacy, and research.

Riders starting out from the Yountville Veteran's Home

Held at the California Veterans Home in Yountville, the annual Fall event brings incredible energy and an outpouring of support for those affected by ALS in California and around the world. Many participants said it was the best ride they’ve attended.  

The weather was a perfect 85 degrees with a slight breeze, the aromas of “the crush” of the fresh wine harvest were in the air, and there was a wide range of route levels, from fun to challenging.

Just a small group of the 140+ day of volunteers at the 2018 Napa Valley Ride

"We had an incredible outpouring of community support this year,” said Kaisha Johnson, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Napa Valley Ride. “We had nearly 140 volunteers setting up, checking in our participants, serving food and drinks, supporting rest stops and the six routes, cheering on all of our incredible riders and walkers as they crossed the finish line, and so much more.

"A huge part of this year’s success is because of our committee and volunteer support!”

"We are also very grateful for the support of our many sponsors,"said Cliff Whitlock, Director for Team Challenge ALS, "This includes organizations and corporations like Field, Commercial Caseworks, Guzzardo Partnership, PwC, PUBLIC Bikes and Mike's Bikes, Cytokinetics, IBEW 617, Syar Foundation,Hathaway Dinwiddie, Naked Nutrition, Able Services, Quantum, Mobility Works, and Permobil"

The Napa Valley Ride to Defeat ALS and Walk was one of the first rides created in the country dedicated in support of the ALS community. Started by an all-volunteer committee in 2004, it’s grown into a powerhouse annual outreach event. The ride has seen continued increase in participants and fundraising every year since its inception and continues to build momentum in support of the urgent need to fuel The ALS Association’s efforts to create a world without ALS. Over the past 14 years, the Napa Valley Ride to Defeat ALS event has raised more than $7.2 million.

Ride Co-Chair, Miles McConnell, and his wife, Dubie Breen, of Team (s)Miles

"Bike riding and community is a winning combination,” said Miles McConnell, committee co-chair for the Napa Valley Ride to Defeat ALS and Walk, who has been living with ALS since 2015.

“What I personally have come to realize is that, while I’ve lost certain things due to my diagnosis, I’ve also gained things. For example, I now have a deeper appreciation of working toward a goal that is beyond yourself or your little family circle.

"Being a part of a group working to help all of us with ALS, and being exposed to so many incredible people that give so much of themselves, has really widened my perspective on life.”

Ride Co-Chair, Karen Walker, addressing the crowd

Karen Walker, committee co-chair for the Ride and board member for the Golden West Chapter, said, “We’re all here because we want to end ALS. I’m personally here because my mom, Josephine, who fought ALS for four years and passed away at 59, spent her entire life taking care of other people.

"I’m also here because of people with ALS, like Matt Chaney, Ryan Farnsworth, Deanna Reed, Kay Thomas, and of course ...Miles McConnell. I know that if we share with the public more about what this disease really is, along with the courage and grace and dignity of people fighting ALS, that’s how we crush it.”

“It is a testament to the power and resilience of our ALS community that we continue to grow each year. Our participants, teams, sponsors, and tireless committee make our Napa Valley Ride to Defeat ALS and Walk the largest of its kind in the country. The impact we are making is real and the needs of the ALS community are more urgent than ever before. We’re excited to break our previous records and are focused now on surpassing our goal this year, fueling the search for effective treatments and cures for this devastating disease.”

“It is really empowering for my family to be here,” shared Katie Anderson, who rode 100 miles in memory of her dad, Hardy Jones. “My dad would always say throughout his whole life, ‘Today is a great day,’ even after his diagnosis. Even in all of the tough moments and all of the hard times, he found the good and the great in every moment of his days. Those words continue to inspire me now.”

My dad died from ALS in 2017, after fighting for five years,” said Anastasia Ennis, who rode 38 miles in memory of her dad. “A lot of the people who are here have been touched by ALS as well. It means a lot to be able to all be here together doing something positive to help others facing this disease.”

“Each person here participating represents hope for people with ALS,” said Janelle Chng, who serves on the Ride’s organizing committee of volunteers and who rode 62 miles in memory of her dad Al, who died from ALS in 2015. “You represent the potential for cures, treatments, care, and support for families facing ALS. Because of your support, one day we will have a future without ALS.”

Deana Reed and Jan Hartman

"In 2014, our lives turned on its axis as my spouse Jan and I heard the words ‘Deana, you have ALS,’ shared Reverend Dr. Deana Reed, of Napa. “Our days were at first filled with fear, questions, and tears as we moved toward the opening of a new chapter for us. In the four years that have followed, we have been grateful for the slow progression of the disease and the outpouring of support from all around our ever widening circle of friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances here in our beautiful Napa Valley. Their presence reminds me of the hope that surrounds life.  

“One of Jan and my favorite quotes is from American author, poet and political activist Grace Paley, who once said, ‘The only recognizable feature of hope is action.’ As my own voice weakens, I am focused on the importance of raising ALS awareness and am so grateful for the support that our Napa community gives to support people facing this terrible disease and their families.”

Ride Co-Chair, Miles Mc Connell, with his family

In his closing remarks during the event’s program, Miles McConnell said, “Thank you for being here. You all act as a support group for people with ALS. That support equates to strength, and that strength is a critical ingredient in dealing with a life with ALS, both for the person with the disease and their loved ones.

"So I want to say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for all that you may have done in the past, all that you’re doing today, and all that you may do in the future. It really means a lot to us.”

To few more photos, please visit our album on Flickr.

The Power of Community is Key to Help Brake ALS 

More than 1,200 participants, volunteers, and members of the community came together for a family-friendly day of celebration, exercise, education, awareness, music, food, and family fun at The ALS Association Golden West Chapter’s 14th annual Napa Valley Ride to Defeat ALS and Walk on Saturday, September 22. Together, these dedicated individuals raised more than $920,000 on event day toward a $1 million goal to fund the mission priorities of the Golden West Chapter in care services, advocacy, and research.

Riders starting out from the Yountville Veteran's Home

Held at the California Veterans Home in Yountville, the annual Fall event brings incredible energy and an outpouring of support for those affected by ALS in California and around the world. Many participants said it was the best ride they’ve attended.  

The weather was a perfect 85 degrees with a slight breeze, the aromas of “the crush” of the fresh wine harvest were in the air, and there was a wide range of route levels, from fun to challenging.

Just a small group of the 140+ day of volunteers at the 2018 Napa Valley Ride

"We had an incredible outpouring of community support this year,” said Kaisha Johnson, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Napa Valley Ride. “We had nearly 140 volunteers setting up, checking in our participants, serving food and drinks, supporting rest stops and the six routes, cheering on all of our incredible riders and walkers as they crossed the finish line, and so much more.

"A huge part of this year’s success is because of our committee and volunteer support!”

"We are also very grateful for the support of our many sponsors,"said Cliff Whitlock, Director for Team Challenge ALS, "This includes organizations and corporations like Field, Commercial Caseworks, Guzzardo Partnership, PwC, PUBLIC Bikes and Mike's Bikes, Cytokinetics, IBEW 617, Syar Foundation,Hathaway Dinwiddie, Naked Nutrition, Able Services, Quantum, Mobility Works, and Permobil"

The Napa Valley Ride to Defeat ALS and Walk was one of the first rides created in the country dedicated in support of the ALS community. Started by an all-volunteer committee in 2004, it’s grown into a powerhouse annual outreach event. The ride has seen continued increase in participants and fundraising every year since its inception and continues to build momentum in support of the urgent need to fuel The ALS Association’s efforts to create a world without ALS. Over the past 14 years, the Napa Valley Ride to Defeat ALS event has raised more than $7.2 million.

Ride Co-Chair, Miles McConnell, and his wife, Dubie Breen, of Team (s)Miles

"Bike riding and community is a winning combination,” said Miles McConnell, committee co-chair for the Napa Valley Ride to Defeat ALS and Walk, who has been living with ALS since 2015.

“What I personally have come to realize is that, while I’ve lost certain things due to my diagnosis, I’ve also gained things. For example, I now have a deeper appreciation of working toward a goal that is beyond yourself or your little family circle.

"Being a part of a group working to help all of us with ALS, and being exposed to so many incredible people that give so much of themselves, has really widened my perspective on life.”

Ride Co-Chair, Karen Walker, addressing the crowd

Karen Walker, committee co-chair for the Ride and board member for the Golden West Chapter, said, “We’re all here because we want to end ALS. I’m personally here because my mom, Josephine, who fought ALS for four years and passed away at 59, spent her entire life taking care of other people.

"I’m also here because of people with ALS, like Matt Chaney, Ryan Farnsworth, Deanna Reed, Kay Thomas, and of course ...Miles McConnell. I know that if we share with the public more about what this disease really is, along with the courage and grace and dignity of people fighting ALS, that’s how we crush it.”

“It is a testament to the power and resilience of our ALS community that we continue to grow each year. Our participants, teams, sponsors, and tireless committee make our Napa Valley Ride to Defeat ALS and Walk the largest of its kind in the country. The impact we are making is real and the needs of the ALS community are more urgent than ever before. We’re excited to break our previous records and are focused now on surpassing our goal this year, fueling the search for effective treatments and cures for this devastating disease.”

“It is really empowering for my family to be here,” shared Katie Anderson, who rode 100 miles in memory of her dad, Hardy Jones. “My dad would always say throughout his whole life, ‘Today is a great day,’ even after his diagnosis. Even in all of the tough moments and all of the hard times, he found the good and the great in every moment of his days. Those words continue to inspire me now.”

My dad died from ALS in 2017, after fighting for five years,” said Anastasia Ennis, who rode 38 miles in memory of her dad. “A lot of the people who are here have been touched by ALS as well. It means a lot to be able to all be here together doing something positive to help others facing this disease.”

“Each person here participating represents hope for people with ALS,” said Janelle Chng, who serves on the Ride’s organizing committee of volunteers and who rode 62 miles in memory of her dad Al, who died from ALS in 2015. “You represent the potential for cures, treatments, care, and support for families facing ALS. Because of your support, one day we will have a future without ALS.”

Deana Reed and Jan Hartman

"In 2014, our lives turned on its axis as my spouse Jan and I heard the words ‘Deana, you have ALS,’ shared Reverend Dr. Deana Reed, of Napa. “Our days were at first filled with fear, questions, and tears as we moved toward the opening of a new chapter for us. In the four years that have followed, we have been grateful for the slow progression of the disease and the outpouring of support from all around our ever widening circle of friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances here in our beautiful Napa Valley. Their presence reminds me of the hope that surrounds life.  

“One of Jan and my favorite quotes is from American author, poet and political activist Grace Paley, who once said, ‘The only recognizable feature of hope is action.’ As my own voice weakens, I am focused on the importance of raising ALS awareness and am so grateful for the support that our Napa community gives to support people facing this terrible disease and their families.”

Ride Co-Chair, Miles Mc Connell, with his family

In his closing remarks during the event’s program, Miles McConnell said, “Thank you for being here. You all act as a support group for people with ALS. That support equates to strength, and that strength is a critical ingredient in dealing with a life with ALS, both for the person with the disease and their loved ones.

"So I want to say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for all that you may have done in the past, all that you’re doing today, and all that you may do in the future. It really means a lot to us.”

To few more photos, please visit our album on Flickr.