Northeast Ohio Walk to Defeat ALS Sunday
Sep. 6—CLEVELAND — The ALS Association Northern Ohio Chapter will host the Northeast Ohio Walk to Defeat ALS on Sunday at Beacon Place, 6055 Rockside Woods Blvd. N in Independence. This is the Chapter's 23rd annual walk in Cleveland.
Registration opens at Beacon Place at 9:30 a.m. Sunday and the opening ceremony begins at 10:45. Participants will enjoy live entertainment provided by Razing the Bar, family activities, Kid Zone, food trucks and the camaraderie of those united in the fight to defeat ALS. For more information, visit https://www.als.org/northern- ohio.
The Northern Ohio Chapter expects more than 800 participants and hopes to raise $512,500.
The Walk to Defeat ALS events are the Northern Ohio Chapter's largest fundraisers, with a combined goal of $615,000 across the region. In addition to Cleveland-Akron, events are held in Toledo and Tiffin. Proceeds from the Walk to Defeat ALS benefit the Chapter's local care programs, including support groups, in home and phone/email support, a durable medical and communication device equipment loan closet, and financial assistance through the Chapter's care and respite grant programs. Top performing teams, as of today, include Team Polito, Team Bolzan, Sonny's Hero and Team Shelley.
Michael G. Polito, Esq., Polito Burke Rodstrom Szep, LLP, is serving as this year's Honorary Chair for the 2022 Northeast Ohio Walk to Defeat ALS.
"On behalf of my brother and best friend, Dr. Anthony "Tony" Polito, who lost his battle to ALS last year, as well my friend and colleague Andy Natale, who has been battling ALS since 2016 — whose shoes I humbly attempt to fill as Honorary Chairman of the 2022 Northeast Ohio Walk to Defeat ALS — I am proud to fight for all families of a loved one afflicted with ALS," Michael G. Polito said. "We hope that our work will ensure that those afflicted, and their families, will be able to overcome the financial burdens of this terrible disease.
There is no fee to participate in the Walk to Defeat ALS. Participants raising $90 or more will receive the official 2022 Walk to Defeat ALS T-shirt. All participants will receive a free Unlock ALS lanyard and Walk to Defeat ALS key. Participants are encouraged to bring photos of their loved ones who have battled ALS to share in the Celebration area.
This year marks eight years after the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge changed the fight against ALS forever, and The ALS Association is recognizing the global viral media movement that swept the country in 2014. The Challenge inspired 17 million people to drench themselves in ice water and raised more than $200 million worldwide for the fight against ALS, putting researchers closer than ever to a cure.
Over the past eight years, the research community has discovered five new ALS genes to help narrow targets for treatments and a cure. Several new global research collaborations have been funded, and for the first time, scientists believe a cure is within reach.
