Julie Garcia

Aug 10, 2024

To this day, the sound of the game reminds me of hot summer afternoons at my grandparent’s home, and Sunday dinners with them. Many Sunday afternoons were spent on the northwest side of the city at my grandparents’ home. If they had air conditioning, it...

Connie Becker

Aug 10, 2024

My family has lost grandparents, parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, and their children to this disease. ALS has been in my family for over 100 years and won’t end until there is a cure. My family carries the SOD1 gene, which has taken the lives of 20 members of...

Daughter, Familial ALS Family Member, C9 Gene Carrier

Aug 10, 2024

I took the test because I knew it would be positive. I thought: “I take after my dad in so many things, why would this be any different?” ALS does not discriminate against race or gender – We are Latinos. I lost my dad to ALS. He was kind, genuine, generous, ate...

Matt Toole

Aug 10, 2024

**Matt passed away on March 29, 2022. Below is his story in his own words.** Education 1993 – B.S. Engineering Technology (Mechanical) Southern Illinois University (Carbondale) 2003 – M.S. Engineering, Purdue University (Hammond) Background I am 51 years old living...

Kristen Tait

Aug 10, 2024

I’m here to help end ALS. I am inspired by Brian Wallach and others that I found through social media. I want to help out and make a difference. Patients deserve access to treatments like Nurown that have proven to slow the progress of ALS. I’m here to help end...