To lead the fight to cure and treat ALS through global, cutting-edge research, and to empower people with Lou Gehrig’s Disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support.
Jana Wood was an incredible sister, mom, grandmom (Nana-Jana), & friend. Jana is oustandingly loved by all of us as she was exemplary in life & the sole pillar in support of her whole family. Astonishing stories of all types fondly surround this extraordinary woman. Jana was an amazing story teller and had an almost unmatched ability to the perfect delivery of the absolute most unique jokes. Originality and a sense of humor all her own is how hundreds have come to know and love Jana. However, lately it's become more important for us all to be a bit more serious at times, to come together in the effort to help find a cure for this devastating disease of which Jana was diagnosed.
Starting June 27th 2009, Bob and his wife Stacey Wood rode their bicycles from Memphis to Grand Rapids Michigan celebrating personal mobility and able-bodiedness. In making this trip they hoped to call attention to the disease called ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) or Lou Gehrig's disease. The ride was about 765 miles. I took only 11 days to complete. Bob and Stacey arrived at their destination, Trillium Woods Faith Hospice on July 7th, 2009.
In this day and age it is difficult to take on any cause that doesn't directly affect you. Unfortunately, at this very moment hundreds of thousand of people are being affected by ALS. It is said that one person is diagnosed every 90 minutes. For those that may be unfamiliar with this disease, consider losing control and use of your body, slowly and surely, until it takes your life. This will typically take 3-5 years from the time of diagnosis and your mind can only watch. There is no cure.
Please take a minute out of your day to think of those affected by this disease.
The Route
The trip took 11 days with a couple of maintenance issues and on rain day. We averaged 71 miles a day. We initially hoped to have a higher average but that proved to be enough. It ended up being a little shorter than expected at about 765 miles rather than 800. we'll give you specifics of how we went and where we camped in a couple of days.
Contributing to this Fund
Please consider contributing to this fund. This was our first adventure we are looking forward to the next. We plan an even bigger challenge next time!!
Guest Book
If you would like, you can add your name and a short message to our Guest Book. Thank you.
WTG Bob and Stacey!! i can't even imagine doing what u 2 did! My brother lives down the hall from Jana, in RM 2301, and we didn't know what was going on. He wanted to go for a walk cause he is now able to right now. Thats when we saw the news crews and so forth when we went outside. I can honestly say i didn't know what ALS was until I met u guys when u arrived here in michigan at Trillium Woods. I asked if u had a plan of doing this yearly in Jana's honor and u guys werent sure. My brother has a very very rare cancer disease too. We both have the same goal of doing what we can to raise as much money as possible to put towards the research necessary to avoid other families going through what we were. After hearing your amazing story and everything Jana is going through, it was your inspiration that has finally made me figure out what i can do for my brother to raise money and so forth. There is nothing out there on my brother disease either. He has a desmoid tumor in his abdomen which can not be taken out. But after seeing what you went through for Jana, it has inspired me to write a book and have the proceeds sent for research of his disease. I would like to pass on my idea and maybe thats something you could do for jana too? I would like to know if it would be ok to add the information i stated above when writing the book for my brother, about Jana and her having ALS and that it was your bike ride that inspired me to think hard about what i could do for my brother. I am unfortunately unable to do what you and stacey did, so this is my idea! WTG u guys and you guys are in our prayers everyday. We wish you the best from the bottom of ou hearts!!! ~Melinda~
Toni Stancliff
Wed, Jul 08, 2009
You two are awesome. I hope you arrived safely to tell Jana all about your adventure.
Toni
Marty Murray
Wed, Jul 08, 2009
I meant not commonly understood.
Marty Murray
Wed, Jul 08, 2009
Bob and Stacey, there are things people can do to solve als.
While the exact mechanism of the creation of the condition is commonly understood, the cause is clear.
Als is a created condition that develops when factors and forces in a person's life come together to create it. Those factors can include stress,a tendency to internalize emotional issues and certain ways of responding to trauma.
The good thing is that all those factors can be changed and that by changing those factors one can change the situation and solve the problem.
Ed Wood
Wed, Jul 08, 2009
Hope your travels went well. God bless the Wood family.
Bob and Stacey
Tue, Jul 07, 2009
Today is Tuesday July 7, we should be arriving at the Trillium Woods Hospice Center sometime mid afternoon!SW&BW
Bob and Stacey
Thu, Jul 02, 2009
Hi all- thank you again for visiting-and for your thoughts to Jana. We think about her all the time. We are now 430+ miles into the trip and finding motivation for this ride easy while celebrating such an awsome person as Jana. Thanks so much to all who have donated and to those who have taken time to give a process of thought to those dealing with this horrible disease
Please feel free to share any personal experiences you may have with ALS.
Peace BW&SW
Denise George
Thu, Jul 02, 2009
Dear Bob and Stacey,
May the wind always be behind you! I look forward to meeting you when you arrive safely to Michigan. God speed!
Denise
Tom Wood
Thu, Jul 02, 2009
You two are amazing. The love and support your trip generate are live giving.
Bless you and stay hydrated!
Tom
Steve Wood
Tue, Jun 30, 2009
Stacey and Bob
What a great thing you are doing for Jana. I hope you remain safe and the weather cooperates for you. We'll be keeping up with you progress.
God's speed.
Steve Wood
Debra Nevinski
Tue, Jun 30, 2009
Stacey and Bob
Mon, Jun 29, 2009
We are on day three now and having a blast, except of course the extremely high temps. 180 miles so far only two flats and one trailer malfunction. Met some really great people some have had experience with this disease and others not. Couple folks from Michigan with southern accents (weird). We are now sitting in yet another subway takin a break from the sun! Back at it in a few. Thank you all for visiting this page your support and thoughts for Jana!
Amy Nix
Mon, Jun 22, 2009
Stacey and Bob,
Happy trails! What a great gift and expression of love....have fun!
Amy
Chris Gavitt
Wed, Jun 17, 2009
Bob and Stac-
Thanx for this great show of love for Jan. What a great way to give tribute to her adventurous side aa well as give hope and help to thousands of others with ALS.
God Bless You both as you travel to Michigan!
Look forward to seeing you soon.
We love you, Chris and Ter
The ALS Association West Michigan Office: (616) 459-1900 - 678 Front St., Suite 159, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504 The ALS Association East Michigan Office: (248) 680-6540 - 675 Big Beaver Rd., Suite 207, Troy, MI 48083
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