Brian started what has now become a family mission to end ALS. His first fundraising campaign was a letter asking friends and family to sponsor his triathlons for 2006. Then Brian had the idea to host a community 5K road race. The ALS Run for Life 5K has grown from 200 participants the first year, to over 1000, and has raised $86,000. The annual road race benefits the Emory ALS Center in Atlanta, GA, with the proceeds specifically directed to ALS research.

Kevin, our younger son, is an avid golfer. When he saw how the community responded to help families living with ALS, he too became inspired. Kevin asked how he could help. He has sold golf balls, benefiting ALS-TDI, and has volunteered at several ALS golf tournaments. Kevin is a terrific ambassador in spreading awareness about the disease.

Mike joined Brian in competing in triathlons in 2006 with a Sprint distance race. He gradually challenged himself to longer distances, and in November 2009 he completed his first Ironman – Ironman Florida in Panama City. Mike and Brian share the message about ALS over and over again at every race where they compete. They spread awareness and honor the PALS (persons with ALS) they have known, often doing a log roll over the finish line – the same way the triathlete with ALS did it in Kona in 2005.

In addition to directing the ALS Run for Life 5K, Karen is the Volunteer Coordinator at the ALS Clinic at Emory University, a member of the ALS Advocacy Team of Georgia. She has become close with many patients, and lost too many to count, and that is the driving force to do everything she can to help researchers solve the mystery and stop ALS. Karen attends and helps organize ALS events regularly. Literally, there isn’t a day that goes by without doing something to spread awareness, work on a fundraiser, support a patient, or assist in another ALS event somewhere in the country.