The World According to Mitch

I don’t ask often, but I need your help.  ALL OF YOU.

On July 4, 1939, two weeks after his retirement, Lou Gehrig stepped onto the field at Yankee Stadium and proclaimed that he was “…The Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth.”  Two years later he was dead from a disease that nobody could pronounce… but they could pronounce his name, and since then it has been referred to simply as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.  He was 38 years old, and within a span of two years went from being one of the greatest (and healthiest) athletes on the planet… to being dead.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease with various causes.  If that sounds like a big word, let’s break it down… ‘neuro’ refers to the brain and nervous system; ‘degenerative’ (the reverse process of generative) means it erodes and dies.  In other word this disease kills your brain… but not right away.  First it takes away your ability to walk… hold a drink in your hand… go to the bathroom.  It is a slow and painful death that along the way strips you of all of your dignity.

I did not know Liz Fein; she was a member of my synagogue until she passed away from this terrible disease.  Rabbi Wise announced recently that he would be leading a team of SBE members on the Halton Region Walk for ALS this May 19th.  I am going to be walking with him, and am asking for your support.

I do not reach out for help often, but I am hoping to raise at least $1,000 to help people suffering from this disease, to provide much needed equipment, and to help fund the research necessary to find a cure.  We will be walking through Bronte Creek Provincial Park on May 19th. 

Every bit helps.  Please click this link and then on the left side of the page click the Sponsor Me button.  Give what you can afford, but please give.

Thank you for your help. Together hopefully we can help eradicate this terrible disease.