The 24th Annual East Bay Walk to Defeat ALS® was held on Saturday, October 28. Hundreds of people joined ALS Golden West at Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline in Richmond, CA to raise ALS awareness and support our mission to find effective treatments and cures.
A special opening ceremony was held, which included guest speakers Francesca Vogel, Owner and Home Care Director of one of our newest sponsors, Hillendale Home Care and three honorees: Michelle Lewis, Bob Sutton on behalf of Karen Sutton, and Keith Verville.
Michelle Lewis was awarded the Never Give Up Award for her 14-year commitment to supporting the ALS community and raising over $75,000 with her Walk Team, Silent Prayers.
Karen Sutton, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2021, was awarded the ALS Hero Award for her tireless work and advocacy while battling the disease. Through Team Sutton, Karen and her circle of support have raised over $30,000. Finally, Keith Verville, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2021, received the ALS Hero Award for his dedication to raising ALS awareness and helping other families affected by the disease.
Denise Lum, Team Captain of Dance to Defeat ALS, led a fun warm up dance to get participants ready to go on the Walk route. Following the Walk, everyone enjoyed lunch, provided by Tony Santos through his catering business, Tony Caters, and an opportunity drawing afterward. The annual event also included a resource fair accompanied by Amylyx, Hillendale Home Care, John Muir Health, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Permobil Foundation, Ability Center, and ALS Golden West.
Thanks to our passionate fundraisers, engaged supporters and generous donors, the East Walk to Defeat ALS brought together over 300 dedicated participants, sponsors, and volunteers who together have raised more than $125,000 towards our goal of $260,000! Team Wittenberg was this year’s highest fundraising team, raising nearly $18,000! All proceeds provide critical funding for ALS Golden West’s urgent mission priorities related to ALS care services, public policy initiatives, and cutting-edge global research.Watch the event day programming by viewing our livestream, thanks to our Accessibility and Inclusivity Sponsor, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America.
All of us at ALS Golden West are grateful for your continued support of our mission to find effective treatments and cures. Click here to see photos from event day!
If you have photos that you would like to share from the event, please send them to photos@alsagoldenwest.org.
It is only together that we will defeat ALS.