Today's Hero: Dan Wright
Good Morning! It is Saturday, November 8th - and we introduce you to Dan Wright, our Hero today. Ben and Rick are eagerly looking forward to 
meeting Dan, Roanoker and former marathoner, as well as a group of his friends and family - after the day on the Trail.
Stephanie, Dan's daughter, along with Rick and Amy of the Star City Striders were kind enough to invite our Team to meet Dan on their way through VA - and we've taken them up on the offer. Stephanie mentioned in her note to our Team that not only does her father continue to coach runners through email, he has also been keeping tabs on Ben's progress since kick-off. We're grateful to have Dan and "crew" as part of our extended 2175 Team - and have been taken aback by the open-armed hospitality and support they have offered to us. They've left us with no choice today - but to have a GREAT one, start to finish. We impart the same demand upon those reading this today...:)
Ben's aiming for 39 miles - while some of Dan's friends head to the Lexington, VA for the oldest road race in Virginia. Stay tuned for an update on the days' events. Dan - thank you so much, we are honored to get the chance to learn from you - and to feature you as our Hero on this beautiful morning,
*Happy Saturday
Team 2175
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In her letter to our Team back in September, Dan's daughter Stephanie gave us a snapshot of her father's extensive running career and diagnosis with ALS - as well a glimpse of his trailblazing character that you will read about in the articles below.
"...Like you, [Ben] my Dad was a runner (and still is, at heart). Though he started running a little later in life at age 39, he was able to fit 188 races (including 19 marathons) into 18 years. He is a long time member of the Star City Striders running club in Roanoke, Virginia, serving as club president, race director, marathon coach, group run leader, and community volunteer during his career. In 2007, the City of Roanoke honored him with a key to the city and officially named the Murray Run Greenway Trailhead in Dad's honor for his work with the local trails and Greenway network.
About eight years ago, Dad's running times slowed. At first he assumed it was a sign of getting older but soon realized it was something more serious. As symptoms progressed over the next few years, his doctors eventually started testing. It took 22 months, but Dad was finally diagnosed with ALS in August 2006.
Dad stayed active as long as he could and walked with friends when he could no longer run, using a walker as physical activity became more and more difficult. However, the disease continued to progress and by last fall Dad was admitted to the hospital with a serious bout of pneumonia. He pulled through (as he always seems to) but now resides in a nursing facility with a special respiratory care unit in Virginia.
Though he needs the help of a ventilator to breathe and receives meals through a feeding tube, like many other ALS patients, Dad is somehow able to tackle challenges the disease presents and rise above them. He applies the determination he once demonstrated through running and uses it to overcome new obstacles. Dad's positive attitude, motivation and perseverance continue to inspire friends and family to join with him in the fight against ALS.
We will walk in his honor at the ALS Association – DC/MD/VA Chapter, Walk to D'feat ALS in Roanoke, Virginia on October 5th. We named our team "The Long Run" to represent Dad's love of running and to show our commitment to fighting this disease over the long haul. Dad hopes to attend the Walk this year and has been training for the past couple of months by spending several hours each week in his wheelchair..."
[Flash forward...Update on the Walk to Defeat ALS, Oct 5]
From Stephanie:
"Thought I would send a quick update on the Roanoke ALS Walk held this past Sunday. My Dad attended the Walk and even challenged 
a fellow PALS to a power wheelchair race. Dad was able to pull off the win--probably due to all of the "training" he has been doing over the past few weeks :) It was an amazing event--I included a couple of pics.
Our team has raised a little over $11,700 so far...hopefully more to come."
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