What:    United Against ALS Walkathon
When:   Saturday - November 2, 2024
             Registration 9:00am - Starts 11:00am
             Event Ends 1:00pm
Where:  The Courtyard of Park Place, Irvine
              3345 Michelson Drive, Irvine, CA 92612

I am walking for my Dad, James H. Copeland, and my high school friend, James H. Copeland & Stacey Shuck Tescier.

My Dad was extremely active.  He hiked, he skied, he sailed.  He loved to travel.  We shared a love of Europe, and I still travel there as often as I can.  He spent his professional life in education.  He was a high school principal for years and then became a superintendent.  He even spent some time working at Rancho Los Amigos helping kids who faced a myriad of disabilities with their academics.  He loved what he did. Dad passed away in March 2002 at the age of 72 at his Lake Wildwood home which he loved.  Dad had bulbar ALS, which meant he had difficulty swallowing but that didn’t stop him from enjoying the occasional Martini through his feeding tube.  I miss him very much.

My friend Stacey Shuck Tescier had a zest for life.  She loved nature and animals but most of all she loved her family and friends.  Losing her has left a void within all of the lives of everyone who knew and loved her. 

My family was fortunate, and Dad had great insurance and plenty of resources.  I couldn’t help thinking about the ALS families who were not as fortunate.  From volunteering at the Chapter office, I learned that not only did the ALSUOC fund research and advocate for people with ALS, they filled the gap in providing much needed services to the families.  From the equipment loan program, providing communication devices for people who have lost their voices, transportation to and from medical appointments, support groups and so much more.  The Walk program helps fund these very needed programs and services.  Navigating through the ALS journey was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.  It comforts me to know that there is help available to our local ALS families and that they don’t have to go it alone.  It’s a cause I’m personally very passionate about.  I look forward to the day a cure is found, and no one ever has to suffer from this horrible disease ever again.

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Thank you for helping me reach my United Against ALS Walkathon fundraising goal! The United Against ALS Walkathon raises funds to support those affected by ALS and to spread awareness of the urgency to find treatments and a cure.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. The life expectancy of a person with ALS averages 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis. ALS can strike anyone, and presently there is no known cause or cure.

That’s why I’m walking. To change the statistics. To bring help and hope to those living with the disease. To ensure that no one ever hears the words: “You Have ALS” again.

The past two years have brought incredible advancements in ALS research, expanded access to care for people living with ALS, and enabled legislation that impacts the quality of life of people with ALS and their families.

But, we can’t stop now. The key to a cure begins with you.

Please consider walking with me or sponsoring me. With your help, we will be able to make a difference in the lives of people affected by this disease.