The ALS Association Golden West Chapter will be in nine different cities hosting the Walk to Defeat ALS throughout 2012. Here are some of the highlights from each of them:

• Monterey
• Inland Empire
• South Bay
• East Bay
• Central Valley

The 12^th Annual Central Valley Walk to Defeat ALS on Saturday, September 15 at Copper River Ranch in Fresno was a fun-filled day in the sun, with 21 Teams and 252 Walkers registered for the event. A moving Presentation of the Colors was provided by Air Force ROTC Det 35 from Fresno State University and walker Jacquie Rogers graciously agreed to sing the National Anthem.

 Dr. Jeffrey  Rosenfeld from UCSF Fresno spoke with the group about the changes in care and treatment for  people with ALS living in the Central Valley. Charlie Gray was mentioned in a presentation ackowledging veterans with ALS and long-time Team Capitans Steve and Patty Spring were on hand to cut the ribbon and lead the Walkers.

“It is hard to ask for donations and I have been asking for twelve years,” said Patty Spring, who has been living with ALS since 2000. “But every year, I am reminded that people are good; they care and they want to help!”

There were some notable new Walk teams this year, like the "Iron Horse Fighters" led by Fresno State softball head coach Trisha Ford, in support of teammate Taylor Green, whose father has ALS.

CBS47 News provided local coverage of the event and featured an interview with Chapter President and CEO, Fred Fisher.

"It never ceases to amaze me how empowered and moved I feel after seeing so many people come together as one community in the fight against ALS," said Kenneth McElderry, Central Valley Walk Coordinator.

To date, the Central Valley Walk has raised $64,394.63 to help people fighting Lou Gehrig's disease.

To view more pictures of the 2012 Central Valley Walk to Defeat ALS, please visit our Flickr site. To make a donation to a Walker or a Team, please visit the Walk page

The South Bay Walk to Defeat ALS on Sunday, September 29 in the Arena Park in downtown San Jose provided an unprecedented opportunity to raise awareness about Lou Gehrig's disease.  With 46 teams, including Team Cytokinetics and 423 Walkers gathered together, there was a feeling of unity in the fight to defeat ALS.

The Oak Grove High School Air Force Junior ROTC provided a presentation of the colors.  But it was 10 year old Christina Schiller who got the crowd applauding with her beautiful rendition of the National Anthem.

The presenters were in good humor as they each tried to time their comments in between the airplanes on approach or departure from San Jose Airport.  At one point, Chapter President and CEO, Fred Fisher, encouraged the crowd to wave to the passengers overhead and suggested activities for next year's Walk to raise even more public awareness.

There were thoughtful remarks given by South Bay Walk Committee Chair and Team Capitan, Tony Santos, who lost his mom Angie to ALS. Board member and Care Services Committee Chair Phil Thomas also spoke about the needs of veterans.  He was accompanied by his wife Kay, who is living with ALS and shared their experiences as both are veterans of the armed forces.

"What an inspirational day! I met so many amazing people that all came together to stand up to ALS and it was such a powerful moment." shared Vicki Enos, South Bay Walk Volunteer Coordinator.

The donations are still coming in, but to date the Walkers have raised $112,758.01 to support care services for people with ALS and their loved ones.

To view more pictures of the 2012 South Bay Walk to Defeat ALS, please visit our Flickr site.  To make a donation to a Walker or a Team, please visit the Walk page.

El Estero Park welcomed us back for Monterey Walk to Defeat ALS on Saturday, September 29.  Volunteer Samantha Worrall graciously drove over two hours to the Walk to sing the National Anthem to a deeply engaged crowd filled with over 400 Walkers and 21 Teams.

Board member and Care Services Committee Chair Phil Thomas spoke about special programs that are available for children whose family members are facing Lou Gehrig's disease.  Board member and Co Chair of the California ALS Advocacy Committee Chair Jared Gill shared with the group some of our recent victories and upcoming projects, like the "Get the 414 on ALS"  California tax check off campaign, which to date was raised over $450,000 for ALS research.  Chapter President and CEO, Fred Fisher inspired the Walkers with the Chapter's efforts to do more to support its mission-critical priorities.

Lori Grimes and Jenny Razo shared the ribbon cutting ceremony and led the Walkers around the beautiful park.  In an amazing coincidence, a woman who was at work at a nearby business saw the Walkers and came to show her support as she had lost a family member to the disease.

"It was amazing to see the Monterey community come together to fight against ALS and give those with ALS a voice,"  shared Lauren Markewitz, Special Events Assistant. "So many great memories, great people and of course great food! I am truly honored to have been a part of this Walk."

The efforts of these dedicated Monterey Walkers have surpassed their original $60,000 goal and are now at $87,180.75  to fund global cuting edge research.

To view more pictures of the 2012 Monterey Walk to Defeat ALS, please visit our Flickr site. To make a donation to a Walker or a Team, please visit the Walk page

The University of La Verne welcomed back for its ninth year the Inland Empire Walk to Defeat ALS on Sunday, September 30, 2012. 

There was a presentation of the colors provided by The Veterans of Foreign Wars of La Verne led by Senior Vice Commander Sgt. Pete Garcia Jr., and Boy Scout Troop 411 of La Verne led by Marcia Townsend.

With over 1,200 Walkers and 62 Teams,  the energy of the crowd was undeniable as Hannah D’Amato sang the National Anthem.  Julianne Angel, a top fundraising team captain and person with ALS shared some  her experiences with Lou Gehrig's disease.  Jennifer Claxton, care manager for San Bernardino and Riverside County and Cherryl Goldstein, Director of Development were also on hand to share important Chapter news.

Team Captains Colin Campbell and Julianne Angel of the top 2 fundraising teams shared the honor of cutting the ribbon.  Their teams had collectively raised over $25,000 as of Walk day.

“We all enjoyed helping out for the Walk! Seeing everyone having a great time and coming out to support the great cause that we are so passionate about made the day special.” John Leggett,  President of The Phi Delta Thetas from the University of La Verne.  The efforts of the Phil Delts were featured in an article in the Inland Valley Builteen.

"The theme this year for the Inland Empire was breaking records---we had more walkers than ever before, more teams than ever before, we raised more funds than ever before, and we had more people living with ALS at the walk than ever before," said Jamie Aronson, Inland Empire Walk Coordinator “I lost my Grandma to ALS in 2007, and it has truly been an honor to work with a community who is so passionate about this cause. I want to thank each and every one of the participants for allowing me to be a part of this Walk.” 

This dedicated team knocked their original goal of $60,000 out of the park, and are currently at $90,555.67 to support our mission.

To view more pictures of the 2012 Inland Empire Walk to Defeat ALS, please visit our Flickr site. To make a donation to a Walker or a Team, please visit the Walk page