Full Donor ListA Good Greek Girl
My Mom, Peacha Horton, was a third grade school teacher in Hermosa Beach for 25 years. She loved to Greek dance, play tennis, and share laughs with friends during regular bridge games. She was a devoted wife and mother who thoroughly enjoyed being a grandmother to her four whippersnappers.
I was with Mom when the doctor diagnosed her condition, and vividly remember him saying, "I am sorry, and it is important for you to know there is no cure and it is best that you arrange matters with your family quickly." The finality of his statement was crushing and offered no flicker of hope. Worse yet, it had taken nearly a year filled with a battery of tests, and numerous general practitioner and specialist doctor appointments before we knew the diagnosis. Although the diagnosis is horrific, I wish Mom would have known she had ALS at the early stages of the disease so she could have lived her final year of life more fully and had more conversations with her cherished friends and family before she was robbed of her ability to speak.
Catalina Classic
On August 30th, I will be competing in The Catalina Classic Paddleboard Marathon, which is a 32 mile paddle from Catalina Isthmus to the Manhattan Beach Pier. It will probably take me between 6-1/2 to 9 hours to complete the event depending on the ocean and wind conditions. Please continue reading below, as I’d like to invite you to assist me in making this event REALLY special.
To honor Mom and to battle the disease that took her from us, I have decided to raise funds via the paddleboard race to support the wonderful work of The ALS Association, Greater Los Angeles Chapter. Last year I raised over $33,000, and this year I am going for $50,000 because my employer, Genzyme, will contribute an additional $9,000 if I achieve that goal. Because ALS is a rare disease, there are few resources and knowledgeable clinicians around to provide appropriate care, as well as answer a myriad of questions. The ALS Association is a godsend to patients and caregivers.
I invite you to support the The ALS Association’s work of providing tools and services to ALS patients who struggle with simple activities of daily living and the ability to speak, as well as funding research to find a cure.
Any amount that is appropriate for you will be gladly accepted and put to good use. My fundraising goal for the Catalina Classic is hefty so think BIG!!!!. You can contribute now by clicking on the "Donate to the Fund" button beneath my picture on the left of this page or mail a check to The Greater Los Angeles Chapter of The ALS Association (ALSA-GLAC), P.O. Box 565, Agoura Hills, CA 91376-0565. Be sure to put “Peacha Horton/Catalina Classic” in the memo section of your check.
Thank you for your support. When you are waking up the morning of August 30th, cuddled up in your cozy bed, think of me out in the middle of the ocean paddling along somewhere between Catalina Island and Manhattan Beach Pier.
See Tom Horton's NBC4 Interview
Guest Book
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Terri Millard
Mon, Aug 10, 2009
I lost my brother, Guy DuMonte, to this horrible disease on March 11th, 2009. One of his most fervent wishes was that he could donate his tissue to help find a cure. Sadly, it wasn't possible, but through his death, changes were made to the program to help families prepare in advance to deliver tissue samples in a timely manner. Your contribution to help find a cure touches my heart, and I pray for your success in this and future endeavors. Thank you so very much and God bless.
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BARBARA KOLCH
Fri, Aug 07, 2009
MY SISTER KARAN SLEPSKI HAS HAD A.L.S SINCE SHE WAS 17 YRS OLD. BACK THEN THEY DIDN'T KNOW MUCH ON HOW TO TREAT IT. THEY STILL DON'T. KARAN IS STILL WITH US. JUST TURNED 55 YRS OLD AUG 3RD. KARAN IS THE OLDEST FEMALE IN THE U.S.A.LIVING WITH A.L.S. IT IS VERY VERY HARD ON EVERYONE. BUT WITH THE HELP WITH PEOPLE LIKE YOU WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU.
WE LOST OUR MOM IN APRIL SHE WAS 89. HEAVEN'S FRIENDS ARE ALL WATCHING YOU FROM AFAR . KEEP UP YOUR GOOD WORK. GOD GIVE'S US ONLY WHAT WE CAN HANDLE. GOD IS GOOD TO GIVE US THE WONDERS OF LIFE FOR US TO LIVE BY. BLESSINGS ALWAYS. BARBARA AND KARAN SLEPSKI |
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nancy menes
Thu, Jul 30, 2009
i hope you make your goal my husband passed away this past may 6, your right about the year long trips to the doctorthey tols him the same thing my husband barney lasted 5years 9months we were lucky,we do need the money to help find a cure,iam also rasing money on a walkabout every year no goal just what i can get no small amount is wrong i iam going to do the walk in long beach at eldorado park what ever you can get goes towards the other money we have sent maybe you can do the trubite in your mom names they send you folloe up also know the money goes towards als and not mda, thats why its great we have are our own division now and the money goes just to the foundation ,we dont have to share with mda well good luck, you can reach me at redseztop@aol.com for more information if needed
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Debbie Barreras
Thu, Jul 30, 2009
Tom, I wish you the best in both races - the Paddleboard Classic and most important the fight against ALS.
My Aunt Lee died from ALS in 1988. From the way you describe your Mom, I think Aunt Lee would really like her - and I'm sure that they are both watching over you from heaven. |
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amos holifield
Thu, Jul 30, 2009
I thank you for trying to rase Funds for ALS.There is not enought things going on for this medical need.I will support you!!! My son Steven In Apple Valey Ca. has this deasase And I am tourned apart about this. He is 41 has 2 kids and a beautiful wife.I will give everything I have to support him. I will Make a donation as much as I can for your compleation of this event.
YOU DON"T KNOW WHAT IT"S LIKE UNTILL IT AFFECTS YOUR FAMILY!!!! ANDY HOLIFIELD |
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Andy Robertson
Wed, Jul 22, 2009
Good on you, Tom! I wanted to prove that someone from the MCHS 1977 Yahoo group has checked out your nice fundraising site. I am very sorry that your mother had to go through ALS. You are doing a terrific good thing in her honor and I wish you all the best. I'll be sending a check.
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