WHY WE WALK

It has been a few years since Team Axling has participated in the Walk to Defeat ALS. In that time there were a lot of ups and downs as we tried to help Vaughn in his fight against ALS. Sadly, Vaughn lost his 7 year battle with ALS on May 20th, 2017, not even three weeks after his 47th birthday. We know that our efforts can do nothing to bring him back, but it is our hope that the funds we raise by walking in his memory can be used to better the lives of those currently living with this disease as well as to find a cure so that no one has to lose a loved on to this horrible disease ever again.

We thank you for your help and support.

A LITTLE ABOUT VAUGHN, ALS, AND MILITARY SERVICE

Vaughn served in the U.S. Army from 1988 to 1992 as an M1 Abrams hull mechanic with the 4/34 Armored Division. For his service in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm he was awarded an Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 bronze stars. He was honorably discharged with the rank of E-4 in 1992.

Vaughn was very proud of his military service. Unfortunately, we learned from the neurologist who diagnosed Vaughn that it was this very service that could be the cause of his ALS. Many people do not know that veterans are approximately twice as likely to be diagnosed with ALS than the general population. 

If you would like more information on ALS and Veterans, please visit these pages:

http://www.alsa.org/news/enewsletter/articles/november-2015/veterans-are-twice-as-likely.html

http://www.alsa.org/als-care/veterans/faqs-new-veterans.html

https://www.cnn.com/2015/11/11/health/als-and-military-veterans/index.html

The ALS in the Military White paper is particularly informative:

http://www.alsa.org/als-care/veterans/military-white-paper.html

WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP 

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. 

That’s why we’re participating in the Walk to Defeat ALS. To bring hope. To raise awareness. To provide resources and services to families free of charge. To help unlock the mystery of ALS and find the key to treatments a cure. Will you join us? 

ABOUT ALS 

Amyotrophiclateral 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 a person with ALS averages 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis. 

ALS can strike anyone. Presently there is no known cause of the disease, yet it still costs loved ones an average of $250,000 a year to provide the care people living with ALS and their families need. Join the movement to provide help and hope today!