Lamar and Kristina Woody are a lot like any other busy, hard-working couple. They’re juggling careers, education and the day-to-day activities of their sassy and smart nine-year-old daughter, Natalie. Married for over twelve years, they love laughter, music and spending time with family and friends, living their life focused on love, friendship and positivity. They are also living with ALS.
We recently talked with Garrett Sakomizu, one of the 2022 recipients of The Jane Calmes ALS Scholarship, to learn a little more about his connection to ALS, what receiving the scholarship means to him, and his future plans in healthcare and ALS research.
An avid skier, cyclist, and hiker, Father Jim has been a pastor at St. Michael’s Parish in Olympia, Washington for over twenty years. With members of the church community, he has traveled to numerous countries for both missionary work and recreational trips. A few years ago, he began having difficulties with muscle twitches, upper body weakness, and leg cramps. Before long he was diagnosed with ALS.
Pat was a former solutions team lead at Esri, a geographic information system (GIS) company, and spent his 25-year career in GIS creatively using mapping technology to solve real-world problems in the utility industry. Forced to retire in 2018 due to the progression of his disease, he had no idea where his passion for mapping and data would take him. “After my diagnosis, I wanted to bring GIS to the ALS battle, but wasn’t sure where to start,” says Pat.
After my dad was diagnosed, there was no hesitation that our family was going to fight alongside him. So that meant it was time to volunteer with The ALS Association. We all knew right then and there that our volunteer work wasn’t going to save our father, but it was going to help others not feel the devastation we were feeling at the time of his diagnosis.
We are pleased to share our 2022 Mid-Year Report, detailing the work and achievements that have shaped the first half of this year, touching on all aspects of our mission: research, care services and advocacy.
Stomp Out ALS is a third-party fundraiser hosted by Brandi Hyatt in memory of her father Jack who passed away in 2017. The event is centered around the Kentucky Derby - getting dressed up, wearing big hats, eating delicious Southern-themed food and baked goods, picking horses and other Derby-related activities.
When Peggy Jennerman's husband was diagnosed with ALS, it was not something either of them expected to hear.
As Dave's symptoms progressed Peggy reached out to the ALS Association Wisconsin Chapter and share her experience in her own words.
Heidi Tarr Henson, diagnosed with ALS last spring, shares thoughts about her personal journey living with the disease, what courage means to her and how she strives every day to embrace and live by this powerful virtue.