Thank you for helping me reach my Walk ALS Denver fundraising goal! Walk ALS 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 - also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease) 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.

In 2020 my mother Sharon “Honey” Massone started a physical decline over a two year period.  She started to fall down while walking in her house, (she was diagnosed with drop foot) her voice changed, she had unexplained weight loss (she got down to about 90 pounds),  difficulty swallowing (choking while swallowing scrambled eggs), difficulty walking unassisted, difficulty talking, and difficulty breathing.  My dad took her to many doctors trying to find a diagnosis and help for her. In May of 2022 she received a referral to an ALS specialist at Stanford that had a three month wait time for an appointment.  Unfortunately she went into respiratory failure and passed away on 8/14/2022 just ten days before her appointment.  Although she didn’t have an official diagnosis all of her symptoms were consistent with ALS.

That’s why I’m walking. To change the statistics and to bring awareness to this disease that is difficult to diagnose.  I also want to give help and hope to Kermit Peterson who is living with this disease.

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.