ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Progress
Starting the 2016 season strong at the 5th Annual San Luis Obispo Walk to Defeat ALS
April 9, 2016 - San Luis Obispo, CA
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The starting line of the 2016 San Luis Obispo Walk to Defeat ALS (L-R) Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian, KEYT-KCOY-KKFX’s Nataly Tavidian, Mayor Shelli Higginbotham, Team Captain Devin Ward, Mayor Steven Martin, and Mayor Jim Hill |
The 5th annual San Luis Obispo Walk to Defeat ALS was a beautiful day filled with hope, inspiration and action needed to conquer Lou Gehrig's Disease. Held at Mitchell Park in San Luis Obispo, an estimated 300 Walkers raised nearly $50,000 in support of the ALS community in San Luis Obispo County.
The morning started off with our amazing emcee, Nataly Tavidian from KEYT-KCOY-KKFX, followed by speeches from four central coast civic leaders, which included Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian; Arroyo Grande Mayor, Jim Hill; Paso Robles Mayor, Steven Martin; and Pismo Beach Mayor, Shelly Higginbotham. This was the first time that any elected official had attended the San Luis Obispo Walk and all shared words of encouragement and inspiration to the participants.
“Your efforts through the Walk to Defeat ALS are advancing the search for new treatments and a cure,” said Asher Garfinkel, Vice President of Community Outreach. “These successes include a phase 3 clinical trial by Cytokinetics and over 150 research projects around the world. The funds have also helped our growth in care services and has led to the hiring of additional Care Service Managers, more support for Certified Centers of Excellence, and the addition of more support groups. All of which provide people with ALS and their families with increased access and resources. “
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Fundraiser Devin Ward, who is living with ALS, |
Devin Ward, the Walk’s top Fundraiser who has been living with ALS since 2015, inspired the crowd with his incredible story. Since his diagnosis, Devin left his teaching position with the Santa Maria Bonita School District to travel the world. When he learned about the San Luis Obispo Walk to Defeat ALS, he knew he needed to come home and help fight against ALS. “I was asked why I am walking, and I think that is pretty obvious,“ said Devin. “I am a person with ALS. I walk to find a cure!” Devin himself has raised over $14,000, and with his team, Devin’s Defeaters, has raised nearly $25,000. Devin's story was recently featured in an article for "The Daily Item" news.
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Recognizing veterans with ALS |
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Some of the many volunteers who helped |
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Our emcee, Nataly Tavidian led the walkers in a warm up Zumba dance and then Devin and “Devin’s Defeaters” cut the ribbon and led the walk through Downtown San Luis Obispo. Along with 10 new teams, this year’s San Luis Obispo Walk had eight returning teams. Our second top fundraising team, The Martha Olson-Fernandez Foundation, were in full force raising over $6,000 and some members travelling from as far away as Pennsylvania to join their team. Captained by Natalie Fernandez, The Martha Olson-Fernandez Foundation are continuous supporters of The Golden West Chapter. We also had Tara’s Troopers returning for their 5th straight year. Kevin Webb and family have been active participants of The Walk to Defeat ALS and started walking in 2004. Also returning this year was Tom’s Team. They raised over $2,500 with Tom Hughes as their top fundraiser. We are so appreciative of all our teams for their continued enthusiasm and support.
Events like the San Luis Obispo Walk to Defeat ALS are only made possible by the hard work and dedication of the volunteers and Walkers. The highlights of the day were captured by KEYT-KCOY-KKFX news.You can view more photos of Walk day on our Flickr channel. What a way to kick off our 2016 Walk to Defeat ALS season!
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Don and Azul Hull celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary |
Longtime walker Jeanne Bergia and team along the walk route |
Starting the 2016 season strong at the 5th Annual San Luis Obispo Walk to Defeat ALS
April 9, 2016 - San Luis Obispo, CA
|
|
|
The starting line of the 2016 San Luis Obispo Walk to Defeat ALS (L-R) Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian, KEYT-KCOY-KKFX’s Nataly Tavidian, Mayor Shelli Higginbotham, Team Captain Devin Ward, Mayor Steven Martin, and Mayor Jim Hill |
The 5th annual San Luis Obispo Walk to Defeat ALS was a beautiful day filled with hope, inspiration and action needed to conquer Lou Gehrig's Disease. Held at Mitchell Park in San Luis Obispo, an estimated 300 Walkers raised nearly $50,000 in support of the ALS community in San Luis Obispo County.
The morning started off with our amazing emcee, Nataly Tavidian from KEYT-KCOY-KKFX, followed by speeches from four central coast civic leaders, which included Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian; Arroyo Grande Mayor, Jim Hill; Paso Robles Mayor, Steven Martin; and Pismo Beach Mayor, Shelly Higginbotham. This was the first time that any elected official had attended the San Luis Obispo Walk and all shared words of encouragement and inspiration to the participants.
“Your efforts through the Walk to Defeat ALS are advancing the search for new treatments and a cure,” said Asher Garfinkel, Vice President of Community Outreach. “These successes include a phase 3 clinical trial by Cytokinetics and over 150 research projects around the world. The funds have also helped our growth in care services and has led to the hiring of additional Care Service Managers, more support for Certified Centers of Excellence, and the addition of more support groups. All of which provide people with ALS and their families with increased access and resources. “
| |
|
|
Top
Fundraiser Devin Ward, who is living with ALS, |
Devin Ward, the Walk’s top Fundraiser who has been living with ALS since 2015, inspired the crowd with his incredible story. Since his diagnosis, Devin left his teaching position with the Santa Maria Bonita School District to travel the world. When he learned about the San Luis Obispo Walk to Defeat ALS, he knew he needed to come home and help fight against ALS. “I was asked why I am walking, and I think that is pretty obvious,“ said Devin. “I am a person with ALS. I walk to find a cure!” Devin himself has raised over $14,000, and with his team, Devin’s Defeaters, has raised nearly $25,000. Devin's story was recently featured in an article for "The Daily Item" news.
|
|
|
Recognizing veterans with ALS |
|
| |
|
|
Some of the many volunteers who helped |
|
Our emcee, Nataly Tavidian led the walkers in a warm up Zumba dance and then Devin and “Devin’s Defeaters” cut the ribbon and led the walk through Downtown San Luis Obispo. Along with 10 new teams, this year’s San Luis Obispo Walk had eight returning teams. Our second top fundraising team, The Martha Olson-Fernandez Foundation, were in full force raising over $6,000 and some members travelling from as far away as Pennsylvania to join their team. Captained by Natalie Fernandez, The Martha Olson-Fernandez Foundation are continuous supporters of The Golden West Chapter. We also had Tara’s Troopers returning for their 5th straight year. Kevin Webb and family have been active participants of The Walk to Defeat ALS and started walking in 2004. Also returning this year was Tom’s Team. They raised over $2,500 with Tom Hughes as their top fundraiser. We are so appreciative of all our teams for their continued enthusiasm and support.
Events like the San Luis Obispo Walk to Defeat ALS are only made possible by the hard work and dedication of the volunteers and Walkers. The highlights of the day were captured by KEYT-KCOY-KKFX news.You can view more photos of Walk day on our Flickr channel. What a way to kick off our 2016 Walk to Defeat ALS season!
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|
|
Don and Azul Hull celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary |
Longtime walker Jeanne Bergia and team along the walk route |
