Dear Friends and Family,
Imagine having trouble with everyday activities such as picking up a fork, speaking to your loved ones, fastening a button, walking your dog and taking a breath of fresh air. In a very short time you will not be able to do any of these things for yourself. You have just been diagnosed with the incurable and debilitating ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). You are told that 50% of all ALS patients die within 18 months after diagnosis. Wouldn't you feel hopeless?
My father, Charles Lusky was diagnosed with ALS 17 years ago. I watched him quickly deteriorate before my eyes. It started simple; with a weakness in his shoulders where it was originally diagnosed as water in the shoulder. However, as time went on, we all sensed there was something more worrisome. In March of 2003, our biggest nightmare became a reality.
My father was the type of dad (even with 5 children) who always made time for each of his children. We all played soccer on our own teams, but yet he somehow he made all of our games and was there to root for us and give us pointers. He was our rock, taught us the importance of teamwork and kept us strong. So it was only natural for his children and my mother to do the same when he needed our help. Watching your father who built your family's tree house on his own when you were small to a man who needed help with the simplest of tasks was not easy. We watched the strongest man we've ever known quickly become the weakest in the matter of months. It became our job to stay strong and become a team in the effort to take care of my father. My father; a guy who loaded, unloaded and packed out a truck full of boxes fives days a week was now a man who was not able to feed himself. He passed away less than one year after his diagnosis. At the time of his death he could not walk, talk, swallow or breathe.
Team Charlie's Angels will be participating in their 17th walk to Defeat ALS on September 26th. We must find a cure for this devastating disease and we must find it soon. Please join me in my dream of creating a world without ALS by virtually walking with me or making a donation.
Thank you for taking your time to read this. Together...we WILL make a difference!
WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP
Often referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. The life expectancy of an ALS patient averages 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis.
Every 90 minutes a person in this country is diagnosed with ALS and every 90 minutes another person will lose their battle against this disease. ALS occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic boundaries.
This crippling disease can strike anyone. Presently there is no known cause of the disease yet it still costs loved ones an average of $200,000 a year to provide the care ALS patients need. Help make a difference and donate or join a walk today.
