ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Progress
Pilates Guru Mari Winsor Joins The ALS Association Golden West Chapter In The Fight to Defeat ALS at the 12th Annual Los Angeles County Walk to Defeat ALS®
October 13, 2014
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| Mari Winsor |
This summer, the Ice Bucket Challenge “soaked” the nation and generated extraordinary awareness about ALS. For one Los Angeles woman, the impact is personal.
“Just about the same time people across the world started throwing buckets of ice water over their heads, I was diagnosed with ALS,” shared Mari Winsor, who is widely credited with popularizing Pilates, turning her Winsor Pilates into a world-wide phenomenon. She has trained high-profile individuals that include Miley Cyrus, Emma Stone, and Marisa Tomei over her decades-long career.
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. People with ALS lose the ability to move, speak, and swallow, and eventually the ability to breathe, while all five senses continue to function normally. Everyone is at risk of being diagnosed with ALS-it affects women and men of all ages and background. The average life expectancy of a person with ALS is two to five years from diagnosis. At this time, there is no known cause and no known cure.
“At first I thought- how could this be happening to me? My life has been devoted to health and fitness. So I was absolutely shocked when I was diagnosed. When I turned 60, just four short years ago, I still felt young and healthy…until I didn't. It wasn’t overnight. The symptoms eluded me and my doctors for three years.”
“Now that I know what it is, I can step up and fight with everything I have,” shares Mari. “I may slur my speech a little, my left arm isn’t working so well, but that doesn’t stop me from fighting ALS. I decided to share my battle with the public and will be leading the warm-up for the Los Angeles County Walk to Defeat ALS.” Mari also shared her story in a special segment with ABC 7's Elex Michaelson, along with LA Walk Co Chair Joy Aronson which will air on Friday October 16 on the 11:00 p.m. news.
“Mari is an amazing example of determination in the fight against ALS,’” said Fred Fisher, President and CEO of The ALS Association Golden West Chapter. “Sharing her story will further the awareness about the disease. This, combined with the increased visibility that ALS has received as a result of the Ice Bucket Challenge, is truly invaluable."
The 12th Annual Los Angeles County Walk to Defeat ALS® will be held on Sunday October 19, 2014 at 700 Exposition Park Drive, Exposition Park, Los Angeles CA. Registration starts at 9:00 a.m. with special opening ceremonies begin at 10:30 a.m. and will feature Mari Winsor leading activities warm up. At 11:00 a.m., the Walk will start in front of the historic Downtown Coliseum, cross Exposition Blvd., through the beautiful rose garden before returning to Exposition Park. The two-mile walk is open to the public and all funds raised support the mission-critical priorities of The ALS Association Golden West Chapter in Care Services, Public Policy, and Research. This year, the plan was to raise $425,000, but with the heightened awareness about ALS, everyone involved with the Los Angeles Walk to Defeat ALS is focused on exceeding this goal. This is would be an incredible milestone for raising more means that the Golden West Chapter can do more to more to advance the search for effective treatments and a cure for ALS and to serve the diverse, intense needs of the ALS community.
“The outpouring of compassion, generosity and sense of humor that has been exhibited during the Ice Bucket Challenge is awe-inspiring,” adds Fisher. “This viral sensation has also encouraged people to continue the fight by participating in our Los Angeles County Walk to Defeat ALS®. It is this ongoing support that will provide the funding necessary to advance our global research program, our care services program and our public policy initiatives – all of which play key roles in the search for an effective treatment and cure.”
“I love life, and have devoted myself to health and fitness by sharing my knowledge of Classic Pilates through my studio, my videos, and my workshops across the country. I still do a Pilates workout 6 times a week, I take ballet and walk, and I train my clients. In partnership with The ALS Association Golden West Chapter, I now have an added mission- to defeat ALS. “
“Because of increased awareness generated by this summer’s Ice Bucket Challenge, the number of participants in the annual Walk to Defeat ALS has doubled this year,” Mari added. “Now, let’s triple it!”
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| Mari Winsor, ABC 7's Elex Michaelson, and LA Walk Committee Co Chair Joy Aronson at Winsor Fit Studios in Los Angeles |
Pilates Guru Mari Winsor Joins The ALS Association Golden West Chapter In The Fight to Defeat ALS at the 12th Annual Los Angeles County Walk to Defeat ALS®
October 13, 2014
|
|
| Mari Winsor |
This summer, the Ice Bucket Challenge “soaked” the nation and generated extraordinary awareness about ALS. For one Los Angeles woman, the impact is personal.
“Just about the same time people across the world started throwing buckets of ice water over their heads, I was diagnosed with ALS,” shared Mari Winsor, who is widely credited with popularizing Pilates, turning her Winsor Pilates into a world-wide phenomenon. She has trained high-profile individuals that include Miley Cyrus, Emma Stone, and Marisa Tomei over her decades-long career.
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. People with ALS lose the ability to move, speak, and swallow, and eventually the ability to breathe, while all five senses continue to function normally. Everyone is at risk of being diagnosed with ALS-it affects women and men of all ages and background. The average life expectancy of a person with ALS is two to five years from diagnosis. At this time, there is no known cause and no known cure.
“At first I thought- how could this be happening to me? My life has been devoted to health and fitness. So I was absolutely shocked when I was diagnosed. When I turned 60, just four short years ago, I still felt young and healthy…until I didn't. It wasn’t overnight. The symptoms eluded me and my doctors for three years.”
“Now that I know what it is, I can step up and fight with everything I have,” shares Mari. “I may slur my speech a little, my left arm isn’t working so well, but that doesn’t stop me from fighting ALS. I decided to share my battle with the public and will be leading the warm-up for the Los Angeles County Walk to Defeat ALS.” Mari also shared her story in a special segment with ABC 7's Elex Michaelson, along with LA Walk Co Chair Joy Aronson which will air on Friday October 16 on the 11:00 p.m. news.
“Mari is an amazing example of determination in the fight against ALS,’” said Fred Fisher, President and CEO of The ALS Association Golden West Chapter. “Sharing her story will further the awareness about the disease. This, combined with the increased visibility that ALS has received as a result of the Ice Bucket Challenge, is truly invaluable."
The 12th Annual Los Angeles County Walk to Defeat ALS® will be held on Sunday October 19, 2014 at 700 Exposition Park Drive, Exposition Park, Los Angeles CA. Registration starts at 9:00 a.m. with special opening ceremonies begin at 10:30 a.m. and will feature Mari Winsor leading activities warm up. At 11:00 a.m., the Walk will start in front of the historic Downtown Coliseum, cross Exposition Blvd., through the beautiful rose garden before returning to Exposition Park. The two-mile walk is open to the public and all funds raised support the mission-critical priorities of The ALS Association Golden West Chapter in Care Services, Public Policy, and Research. This year, the plan was to raise $425,000, but with the heightened awareness about ALS, everyone involved with the Los Angeles Walk to Defeat ALS is focused on exceeding this goal. This is would be an incredible milestone for raising more means that the Golden West Chapter can do more to more to advance the search for effective treatments and a cure for ALS and to serve the diverse, intense needs of the ALS community.
“The outpouring of compassion, generosity and sense of humor that has been exhibited during the Ice Bucket Challenge is awe-inspiring,” adds Fisher. “This viral sensation has also encouraged people to continue the fight by participating in our Los Angeles County Walk to Defeat ALS®. It is this ongoing support that will provide the funding necessary to advance our global research program, our care services program and our public policy initiatives – all of which play key roles in the search for an effective treatment and cure.”
“I love life, and have devoted myself to health and fitness by sharing my knowledge of Classic Pilates through my studio, my videos, and my workshops across the country. I still do a Pilates workout 6 times a week, I take ballet and walk, and I train my clients. In partnership with The ALS Association Golden West Chapter, I now have an added mission- to defeat ALS. “
“Because of increased awareness generated by this summer’s Ice Bucket Challenge, the number of participants in the annual Walk to Defeat ALS has doubled this year,” Mari added. “Now, let’s triple it!”
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| Mari Winsor, ABC 7's Elex Michaelson, and LA Walk Committee Co Chair Joy Aronson at Winsor Fit Studios in Los Angeles |
