The first one to show, the last one to go with smiles and laughs the whole way through. ALSA Wisconsin Chapter Volunteer Mike "Mr. Smiley" Howe, is our Hometown Hero this month.
Mark Kandel began experiencing indicator symptoms of ALS in 2011; falling, difficulty walking, loss of balance, spasticity in his right leg, and foot drop. In October of 2014, at age 59, he received his ALS Diagnosis at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.
Mark is now "66 years young" and attends the Froedtert Clinic working with Dr. Dominic Fee. Despite the abilities he’s lost, Mark’s focus is on the present and what he is still able to do to "keep fighting."
Executive Director John Hedstrom of The ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter pens a letter to the Massachusetts community offering thanks for support throughout the trials of 2020 and urges participation in the Chapter's 2021 event season. His letter also details how folks can attend the Walk to Defeat ALS either in person or virtually.
Gary Stevens lives with ALS, and has a large Walk team that wants to see the disease cured. His friend Todd is helping Gary battle ALS, just like Gary comforted him when his wife was battling cancer.