To Defeat ALS, FIRST Walk

To Defeat ALS, FIRST Walk!

Every 90 minutes a person in this country is diagnosed with ALS and every 90 minutes another person will lose their battle against this disease. ALS occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic boundaries. 

That’s why we’re participating in the Walk to Defeat ALS. To bring hope. To raise awareness. To provide resources and services to families free of charge. To help unlock the mystery of ALS and find the key to treatments a cure. Will you join us? 

Join us in participating in the Appalachian State University Walk to Defeat ALS!

Join Team First

Students, faculty, staff and friends are invited to join the Reich College of Education's Walk to Defeat ALS team: Team First

We have set a Team First fundraising goal of $500 - with your help we hope to surpass this goal!

Be a Team First Walker

  1. Register to participate as a Fundraising Walker or a Virtual Walker. There is no fee to register!
  2. Select your Fundraising Goal and/or Make a Gift.
  3. Complete the contact form.
  4. Make a secure donation and/or begin fundraising.
  5. Team First members who register by Friday, February 22 will receive a participant t-shirt.

Walk Details

  • Date: Saturday, March 30, 2019
  • Walk Check-in: 9:00 am
  • Walk Start: 10:00 am
  • Location: Levine Hall of Health Sciences, 1179 State Farm Road, Boone, NC 28607
  • Distance: 1.5 miles

Support Team First

Can't make the walk? Donations of any size are appreciated!

  1. Select a team member
  2. Select or enter a donation amount 
  3. Make a secure payment

Join or Support Team First TODAY!

Fundraising through the Walk drives bold and urgent innovation as we march together toward a treatment and ultimately a cure for ALS.

Why Walk?

The mission of the ALS Association is to discover treatments and a cure for ALS, and to serve, advocate for, and empower people affected by ALS to live their lives to the fullest.

Your participation in the Walk to Defeat ALS has a direct impact on people living with ALS and their families at the local level. Through education, support groups, access to care and advocacy, we are working to defeat ALS and provide hope to people living with ALS and their families.

We walk to support Dr. Dane Ward, Appalachian's Dean of University Libraries, who was diagnosed with ALS in October 2017. Learn more (Read Dr. Ward's 2018 letter to the editor of campus newspaper, The Appalachian).

What is ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. The life expectancy of a person with ALS averages 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis. 

ALS can strike anyone. Presently there is no known cause of the disease, yet it still costs loved ones an average of $250,000 a year to provide the care people living with ALS and their families need. Join the movement to provide help and hope today!

ALS infographic

Walk to Defeat ALS logo
Published: Jan 29, 2019 9:07am

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