The ALS Network proudly celebrated the 20th annual Napa Valley Ride, Walk & Roll to Cure ALS® on Saturday, September 14, at Justin-Siena High School, in Napa, CA. This annual ride, walk and roll event brings incredible energy and an outpouring of support for those affected by ALS in Napa Valley. Participants joined together for a family-friendly day of celebration, exercise, education, awareness, music, food, kids’ fun and so much more!
Since its inception by a dedicated grassroots committee in 2005, the Napa Valley Ride and Walk to Cure ALS has been a yearly opportunity for the ALS community to connect and fuel the search for effective treatments and cures for ALS. As of event day, and by working together, we have raised over $800,000 towards our goal of $1,200,000! Gifts will be accepted and fundraising efforts will continue throughout the rest of the year.
“I lost my mother to ALS and it has been my mission to bring an end to this relentless, indiscriminate disease,” shared Bonnie Pybus, one of the founders and long-standing volunteers of the Napa Valley Ride. “It will take money, research, and constant determination to bring us to a cure. I will stay that course, however long it may take. But my hope is to make the journey to get there shorter.”
The annual event offered a 90-mile route, a 63-mile challenge route, a 62-mile lite route, 46-mile route, a 28-mile route, a 9-mile route, and 1.2 mile accessible walk and roll to accommodate all levels. Upon completing their ride or walk, participants were welcomed back by cheering crowds and finish line festivities that included live music, a lunch buffet by Tony’s Caters, ice cream and smoothies, a beer and wine garden, complimentary massages, a kids’ zone, exhibitors, and more!
In honor of the 10th anniversary of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, teams graciously gathered together to take the challenge in honor and in memory of those affected by ALS.
“I am so thrilled to be here and to give everything I can to help with care, research and advocacy in the name of all people impacted by this disease,” said Bruce Friedricks, Co-Chair for the Napa Valley Ride for the last five years. “We really need a team effort to pull this off each year. It feels so good to volunteer and to give back.”
Sponsors for this year’s event included: Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, US Bank, Cytokinetics, Field Construction, IBEW 617, Kiewit, Alliance Association Bank, Hathaway Dinwiddie, PCS Technology, The Guzzardo Partnership, United Mechanical, LifeSafer Ignition Interlock, Cycle California Magazine, Ibew Local 617, Numotion Foundation
Thank you to our ALS community in the Napa Valley for your dedication to the ALS Network’s mission and for joining us for the 2024 Napa Valley Ride, Walk & Roll to Cure ALS. We invite you to see photos from the event here. Also, if you have any photos that you would like to share, please send them to photos@alsnetwork.org.
If you couldn’t join us in person, you can enjoy our livestream programming, which is available as a video-on-demand thanks to our Accessibility and Inclusivity Sponsor, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, and to Desire to Inspire Studios Foundation for their efforts to make it possible.
Gifts in support can still be made at alsridenapavalley.org. Let’s #cureALStogether!