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The 2nd Annual Big Island Walk & Roll to Cure ALS connects ALS ohana
The ALS Network proudly announces the 2nd annual Big Island Walk & Roll to Cure ALS (formerly the Big Island Walk to Defeat ALS) on Sunday, August 18, 2024 at Old Kona Airport, in Kailua-Kona. This annual event brings incredible energy and an outpouring of support for those affected by ALS in Hawaii. Participants are invited to join other members of the community in honor or in memory of those impacted by ALS for a family-friendly morning of celebration, exercise, education, awareness, music, food, and kids’ fun.
“These Walk & Roll to Cure ALS events are vitally important as they raise awareness about ALS, and foster support from our communities and other healthcare providers,” said Rodney Morrell, who has been living with ALS since 2022 and is lead volunteer for the Big Island Walk & Roll.
Since its inception in 2023, the Big Island Walk & Roll 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. The Big Island Walk will be held at Old Kona Airport (75-5560 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740). Proceeds from the Big Island Walk will be used to support our Hawaii programs and services for Hawaii’s ALS community.
Everyone must check-in upon arrival and start time schedule is as follows:
- 7:15 AM: Volunteer registration
- 8:30 AM: Registration
- 9:30 AM: Program Start
- 10:00 AM: Walk Start
Online registration closes Saturday, August 17, at 8pm, however, supporters are welcome to register the morning of the event beginning at 8:30 AM. This special community event is open to the public and is designed to appeal to every level of walker and supporter of the ALS Network. Registrants can also participate virtually from anywhere in the world! Choose YOUR way of supporting the ALS community from wherever you are, and join the community to walk, or roll in support. All funds raised support the interdependent mission priorities of the ALS Network in care services, public policy, and research.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a fatal, neurodegenerative illness that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. People with ALS lose the ability to move, speak, swallow, and, eventually, to breathe – all while their minds and senses usually continue to function. People who have served in any branch of the military are diagnosed with ALS nearly twice as often as the general population. Currently, there are no known cures for ALS and only modestly effective treatments.
“To borrow a quote from Lou Gehrig, I truly am lucky and blessed to have many people in my life who are caring and compassionate,” shared Morrell. “One such group is the ALS Network. They have been by my side since day one, ensuring that my needs are met through the insidious advancement of ALS.”
The mission of the ALS Network is to partner with the ALS community as we drive the discovery of prevention strategies, treatments, and cures for ALS; provide access to quality care and connection; and promote initiatives to improve health outcomes. The ALS Network, formerly ALS Golden West, serves people with ALS and their families throughout California and Hawaii.
“I have been able to lead a more productive and dignified life due to the continued support of the ALS Network, who are like my family,” Morrell said. “They have supplied me with mobility devices and resources that I otherwise couldn’t obtain, at no cost to me. These are just a few examples of what they are capable of providing to the ALS community.”
Sponsors for the 2024 Big Island Walk & Roll to Cure ALS include: Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Goodfellow Bros., Hawaiian Rehabilitation Services, and Kaiser Permanente.
“For people living with ALS and their loved ones, we wouldn’t be able to get support from the ALS Network if it weren’t for events such as this and the generosity that your donations provide,” said Morrell. “Please join us for this year’s event and Walk and Roll to help us find a cure!”
For more information, to register for the event, or make a gift in support, please visit alswalkbigisland.org. For questions, please contact AnnMarie Ingham, Associate Director of Community Outreach at BIwalk@alsnetwork.org or call (808) 480-9689.