ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Progress
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Chris Chergoski |
October 5, 2017- Ventura
(Printable Version)
The ALS Association Golden West Chapter is proud to announce that Chris Chergoski will be the co-honoree of the 2017 Walk Hero Award at the 14th annual Ventura/Santa Barbara County Walk to Defeat ALS on Sunday, October 29, 2017. The award is presented to those who are making courageous and inspirational efforts in the areas of advocacy, fundraising, and public awareness while living with ALS. Chris will receive this award along with Ismail Tsieprati, who is also living with ALS.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a fatal, neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ALS does not discriminate -- women and men of all ages and backgrounds are at risk, though for unknown reasons veterans are diagnosed with ALS twice as often as civilians. People with ALS lose their ability to move, speak, swallow, and eventually the ability to breathe, while all five senses continue to function normally. At this time, there is no known cure.
Chris Chergoski grew up with a passion for football and played through high school, junior college, and a year at California State University in Chico. After receiving his BA in Physical Education, he explored many career options, including working at the local reservoir dam and as a welders assistant, and spent time traveling in Europe.
In February of 2003, Chris was diagnosed with ALS and received limited information from his medical provider, except for the prognosis. This experience motivated him to remain positive and raise awareness about the disease. Since 2005, Chris and his family have participated in the Walk to Defeat ALS as the “Ventura ‘Ski’ Team”. Together they have raised $120,000 in support of the mission of The ALS Association Golden West Chapter.
"I’ve been so lucky to have such an incredible team behind me for so many years.” shared Chris. “Hundreds of people are helping me and other fight against ALS through the Walk. The ALS Association Golden West Chapter has used those donations in many different ways in support of the ALS community, through funding Centers of Excellence and multidisciplinary clinics, along with advocacy in government initiatives, and by investing in groundbreaking research for treatments and a cure. I'm very thankful and humbled by the honor the Golden West Chapter is giving me, but most of the credit should go to my family and members of the Ventura "Ski" Team, who work so hard, every year."
The 14th Annual Santa Barbara County Walk to Defeat ALS® will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2017 at Plaza Park, in the heart of Ventura. Registration opens at 9:30 am, followed by opening ceremony at 10:30 am and Walk beginning at 11:00 am. The 2-mile walk starts and ends at Plaza Park, wrapping around through the Ventura/Santa Barbara area. This special community event is open to the public and all funds raised support the interdependent mission priorities of The ALS Association Golden West Chapter in Care Services, Public Policy, and Research. This year’s goal is to raise $125,000 to advance the search for effective treatments and a cure for ALS and to serve the diverse, urgent needs of the ALS community in Ventura/Santa Barbara County.
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PRESS CONTACT |
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EVENT CONTACT |
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Chris Chergoski |
October 5, 2017- Ventura
(Printable Version)
The ALS Association Golden West Chapter is proud to announce that Chris Chergoski will be the co-honoree of the 2017 Walk Hero Award at the 14th annual Ventura/Santa Barbara County Walk to Defeat ALS on Sunday, October 29, 2017. The award is presented to those who are making courageous and inspirational efforts in the areas of advocacy, fundraising, and public awareness while living with ALS. Chris will receive this award along with Ismail Tsieprati, who is also living with ALS.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a fatal, neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ALS does not discriminate -- women and men of all ages and backgrounds are at risk, though for unknown reasons veterans are diagnosed with ALS twice as often as civilians. People with ALS lose their ability to move, speak, swallow, and eventually the ability to breathe, while all five senses continue to function normally. At this time, there is no known cure.
Chris Chergoski grew up with a passion for football and played through high school, junior college, and a year at California State University in Chico. After receiving his BA in Physical Education, he explored many career options, including working at the local reservoir dam and as a welders assistant, and spent time traveling in Europe.
In February of 2003, Chris was diagnosed with ALS and received limited information from his medical provider, except for the prognosis. This experience motivated him to remain positive and raise awareness about the disease. Since 2005, Chris and his family have participated in the Walk to Defeat ALS as the “Ventura ‘Ski’ Team”. Together they have raised $120,000 in support of the mission of The ALS Association Golden West Chapter.
"I’ve been so lucky to have such an incredible team behind me for so many years.” shared Chris. “Hundreds of people are helping me and other fight against ALS through the Walk. The ALS Association Golden West Chapter has used those donations in many different ways in support of the ALS community, through funding Centers of Excellence and multidisciplinary clinics, along with advocacy in government initiatives, and by investing in groundbreaking research for treatments and a cure. I'm very thankful and humbled by the honor the Golden West Chapter is giving me, but most of the credit should go to my family and members of the Ventura "Ski" Team, who work so hard, every year."
The 14th Annual Santa Barbara County Walk to Defeat ALS® will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2017 at Plaza Park, in the heart of Ventura. Registration opens at 9:30 am, followed by opening ceremony at 10:30 am and Walk beginning at 11:00 am. The 2-mile walk starts and ends at Plaza Park, wrapping around through the Ventura/Santa Barbara area. This special community event is open to the public and all funds raised support the interdependent mission priorities of The ALS Association Golden West Chapter in Care Services, Public Policy, and Research. This year’s goal is to raise $125,000 to advance the search for effective treatments and a cure for ALS and to serve the diverse, urgent needs of the ALS community in Ventura/Santa Barbara County.
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PRESS CONTACT |
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EVENT CONTACT |
