The ALS Association

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Progress

A Behind the Scenes Look at the Walk to Defeat ALS

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For the past four years, Diana Perrault has been on a tireless mission to stay one step ahead of ALS. As the Director of Development for The ALS Association Florida Chapter, Perrault is responsible for ensuring the success of nine annual Walk to Defeat ALS events spanning from Tallahassee to Miami. She said, “We start planning the moment one walk has ended.” Perrault relishes in the yearlong process. For her, working at The ALS Association is far more than a job; it’s her life’s work.

“My mom’s sister passed away from ALS in 2003,” said Perrault. “And so for me, I got started at the organization just by becoming a walk participant. I was moved by the need for people with ALS and their families to have that moment to really honor and celebrate all those whose lives have been touched by ALS.”

Soon she volunteered to become a team captain and her outlook on the disease began to change. “It was really an opportunity of hope for my family and me,” said Perrault. “I was able to see myself turn a really negative experience of loss into something positive. Knowing that the Chapters nationwide are working so hard to provide people with ALS care services and to make those contributions to research and to raise awareness, it just really became such a big part of my life.”

Eventually Perrault’s passion led to a job with The Association where she spends much of her time coordinating Walk to Defeat ALS events, which under her direction in Florida raises over $1.3 million every year. “What goes on behind the scenes is truly incredible,” explained Perrault. “It’s really a year round initiative to get everyone involved. We’re just constantly engaging members of our community, raising awareness, inviting people with ALS and their families out, mobilizing our volunteer base and our wonderful statewide committee to plan for an amazing Walk Day experience.”

The Walk to Defeat ALS also happens to be the financial lifeblood of most local chapters of The ALS Association. Perrault notes it’s the Florida Chapter’s largest stream of revenue and is relied upon to support The Association’s mission.

People with ALS come first in everything The Association does. That’s why beyond each events’ fundraising goals, Perrault acknowledges there’s a greater purpose—raising awareness and fighting the isolation of ALS. “I’ve seen people come out (to participate) in wheelchairs, walkers and in hospital beds,” said Perrault. “And they’re not feeling stuck in a moment where they feel helpless. They’re now amongst their peers. They’re amongst friendly faces. They know that there are people there for them cheering them on and really fighting for them, and fighting for that cure.”

Often the best part of the Walk experience is the intangible reward. Perrault said, “I really think that there is that cathartic moment, and it’s so possible for so many to feel because, nothing is like that Walk Day experience.”

Register to Walk
There are nearly 200 Walks to Defeat ALS that take place across the United States each year. To find the Walk event nearest you, visit: www.walktodefeatals.org.

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