Walk To Cure ALS Raises More Than $135K

The Wakefield Walk to Defeat ALS reportedly raised more than $135,000 this year, with help from hundreds of walkers, volunteers and other participants.

The Wakefield Walk to Defeat ALS was held October 19 at Lake Quannapowitt and drew more than 700 walkers this year.

Nationwide, other Walks to Defeat ALS raised a total of $21.7 million in 2012, with about 175,000 total participants.

Since 2000, the nationwide events have experienced constant participant growth and have raised more than $159 million toward the goal of a world without ALS,” said Lynn Aaronson, ALS Massachusetts Chapter Executive Director.  “Massachusetts has a major role in ALS research and we are proud of our chapter’s success in supporting these efforts.”

ALS, also commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a degenerative disease affecting the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord and which can cost as much as $250,000 a year to treat. The disease claims another victim on an average of every 90 minutes, noted the organization.

Contributions for the walk are still being accepted at www.walktodefeatals.org.