Waikiki, HI - September 6, 2014
The
2nd Annual Hawaii Walk to Defeat ALS, held at the picturesque Kapiolani Region
Park in Honolulu, was a beautiful day filled with hope, inspiration and actionon the fight to defeat ALS. An estimated 425 registered Walkers have raised $87,608.59 in support of the ALS community in Hawaii.
"Words cannot express the immense feeling of gratitude that
I felt while looking out at the sea of participants," said Victoria “Nohea” Nakaahiki, Golden West Chapter Advisory Trustee and co-founder of the Hawaii Walk. "A year ago, our very first Walk in Hawaii was amazing for so many reasons. But, this year’s walk was phenomenal on every level! In talking with the many people with ALS and their loved ones, I felt their genuine excitement as they shared
experiences in receivingexpanded services and support over the last year."
"Mahalo to our many friends any family who have so generously supported the Hawaii Walk to Defeat ALS," said Joanne "Cookie" Fujio, Golden West Chapter Advisory Trustee and one of the organizers of the Hawaii Walk.
"We are especially grateful to our Walkers and volunteers. Last year’s walk resulted in the hiring of Care Manager Terryn Davis
who provides on the ground support to Hawaii’s ALS families. This year’s monies
will be used to continue the work and create Hawaii’s 1st ALS
multi-disciplinary clinic slated to open on Kauai. We could not have gotten
this far in this short year without you!"
Kahu
Wendall Davis' captivating Opening Pule, or blessing, followed by a welcome
presentation, set the stage for a special day in support of the fight to defeat
ALS. Kauai's Mayor Carvalho continued the sentiment with his message to
"motivate, educate and defeat" ALS and performed an endearing rendition of the Josh Groban song
"You Raise Me Up".
Special guest Alex O'Loughlin, who plays Steve McGarrett on the hit CBS
show Hawaii Five-0, was also on hand to offer support in the fight to defeat ALS. He offered Walkers and all those in attendance words of encouragement and inspiration. "It is incredible to me that, after this many years, we still don't have
any answers yet- but we need an answer now," he said. "This is
something that has touched me and my family on a very deep level and it
is something that I care about very much."
Steve Gibson, Chief Public Policy Officer of The ALS Association spoke
with the group about the importance of the National ALS Registry. The ALS Registry
is one of the largest ALS research projects ever created; it is designed to
identify people with ALS across the U.S. in order to understand the causes of
the disease so that scientists might be able to target therapies and a cure for
ALS. The ALS Association led efforts to establish the ALS Registry,
working with Congress to enact the ALS Registry Act and securing federal
funding to design, build and implement the National ALS Registry at the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (CDC/ATSDR).
The group warmed up courtesy of certified personal trainer Ky Vuong and enjoyed
a stirring rally at the starting line by the Kahaku High School Football team.
The fun and excitement of the day was apparent by the many smiling faces of the
participants. As they crossed the finish line, Walkers were treated to special
entertainment from Halau Kuu Wa Hula with Kumu Linda Nakamura of Waipahu, Rolando Sanchez and the wonderful percussion ensemble.
Also at this year's Walk was a new Golden West Chapter Advisory Trustee Lucy Wedemeyer, the surviving spouse of Hawaii's own legendary football coach, Charlie Wedemeyer. "The
Hawaii Walk was truly a wonderful experience and a blessing to so many families," she said. "It
was energizing and everyone was talking about how we can make it even better
next year! Karen Fujii's
Hula Halau added such a beautiful element of joy to the day!"
We wish to extend a special mahalo to our amazing emcee, Billy V. from
Hawaiian 105 KINE Radio. Events like the Hawaii Walk to Defeat ALS are only
made possible by the hard work and dedication of the Golden West Chapter
volunteer leadership on the board and walk committee, which includes
Victorialei "Nohea" Nakaahiki, Joanne "Cookie" Fujio, Lucy
Wedemeyer, Jan Medusky, Sue Morris, Susan Tanzman and Cherryl Williams, as well
as other awesome walk committee members, volunteers, and Walkers.
Without supporters like you, an event like this isn't possible. Mahalo nui loa!
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(L-R) Kauai's Mayor Carvalho, Joanne "Cookie" Fujio, Hawaii Five-0's Alex O'Loughlin, Lucy Wedemeyer, Hawaiian105 KINE Radio's Billy V.
Walk Committee and Supporters- (L-R) Roberta Murray, Lucy Wedemeyer, Victoria “Nohea” Nakaahiki, Alex O'Loughlin, Nicole Borst and Joanne "Cookie" Fujio
Brookelyn's Squad 2014
Halau Kuu Wa Hula (My Hula Days) with Kumu Linda Nakamura of Waipahu
Paul Gagnon, who has been living with ALS, is talking with Natalie Jones and Alex O'Loughlin
Please visit our Flickr page to view more photos!
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