I'm running with Team ALS to raise funds that will support individuals and families affected by the disease. ALS is a cause close to my heart. My father, Dinesh Desai, was diagnosed in September 2023 and passed away in late March 2024. My dad was diagnosed late into the progression of the disease after having been misdiagnosed and undergoing many surgeries. 

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is a progressive disease of the nervous system that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Every ninety minutes, someone is diagnosed with the disease, and someone passes away from it. Scientists and doctors are still unsure of what causes ALS. 90% of cases occur without any genetic cause, while the remaining 10% of cases are inherited through a mutated gene.

My dad was 74 when he was diagnosed, and had lived a beautiful life filled with lots of joy. He grew up in a rural village in Gujarat, India with no electricity or running water. He attended the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai before moving to the US. In the United States, he went on to earn his Master’s in chemical engineering and his MBA. After a career in corporate America, he set out on his own, purchasing Western Sky Industries and later, Emtec, Inc. 

While my father's professional accomplishments are notable, his greatest job was being a dad to me and my three sisters. Whether we were working on math homework together, skiing, or debating current events, my dad always pushed me to be better, work harder, and think deeper. His grit and determination were inspiring. His laughter filled any room he was in, and his complete inability to tell a joke without bursting out laughing in the middle of telling it always left me in tears. 

I am so grateful to be running the 2024 NYC marathon in memory of my dad. If you are able, please consider donating to help end this cruel disease. Your donation will help ALS United Greater New York fund resources and services to the local ALS community, help find new treatments, and move us closer to a world without the disease.

Please feel free to send this page to any friend or family member who might be interested in donating. 

Many thanks, 

Aani