Monday, October 13th 2008

2175 at the Walk to Defeat ALS

The Walk to Defeat ALS took place on Sunday, October 12th in Washington, DC - hosted by our friends at the ALS Association DC/MD/VA Chapter. Thanks to Christine, Ken and the staff - it was remarkable see so many walkers mobilized in the charge. That day offered the chance to spread word of "2175 for ALS" – and also the unanticipated occasion to meet families, friends, students and children taking to the pavement - either on foot or on wheels - to impart change, and celebrate someone they love.

The day was brilliantly sunny - warm for October, and the staging area was set on a hill overlooking a lake with a clear, squinting view of the Washington Monument. Teams began to assemble slowly and segment themselves by color; yellow, green, purple, and red crowded in clusters across the lawn and beneath the old, heavy-limbed trees. A live orchestra began to play on the hillside and set everyone in the mood to get moving.

Among the many groups that came out that day were the sisters of Delta Epsilon from Gallaudette University - who volunteered at the advocacy table, connecting visitors with news on ALS legislation. Thanks to Stephanie, Twilia, Julie and the rest of the sisters, for your instant warmth and for lending your energies to the efforts that day! (see photo)

Also present was the expansive Hax Pack, family of Carolyn Hax of the Washington Post, walking in honor of her mother. The photo only captures a segment of the team - which included at least 3 generations; it was wonderful to meet your team - (thank you for being so generous with the baked goods…)

Others in attendance were Georgetown University's Students of AMF who stood for a photo shoot against the backdrop of the Washington monument; Strike out for ALS, the Jackals, Booz Allen Hamilton, (thank you Sara and Kamal), and several others donning banners and home-made shirts – encircled the lake, holding signs created to honor friends, children, sisters, aunts, uncles, wives, husbands, mothers and fathers. To be a part of the assembly - was to share in their collective warmth and vitality. The effort that so many participants took to come out – here in DC and around the country – especially those maneuvering with chairs, was extraordinary. Your gargantuan effort and the implicit strength underlying that effort – has not gone unnoticed!

When the event was through, walkers diffused into the streets of DC, spackled in stickers - each of us like glowing embers, lighting up the afternoon.