Walk ALS North Jersey: Gary Borkes - ALS United Greater New York

Friends and Family;

Cousin Lauren and I participated in and are fundraising for Walk ALS 2025, to raise funds that will support affected individuals and families. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, use hands/arms, speak, swallow and breathe, and is currently without a cure.

Both my mother and sister, along with others I know, were challenged and succumbed to the disease. For anyone who has watched and cared for someone going through a fatal disease, you understand the indescribable heartwrenching journey. After the fact, as part of grieving and healing, there's a desire to do what we can for others who are walking the same path. And so here I am, hoping this will make some positive difference for others impacted by ALS, thanks to you.

For over a decade, Cousin Lauren has participated in these walks in the memory of my sister Kathy. A few years ago I joined her at the Long Island ALS walk, and was so glad to partner with her again this year, in New Jersey. Lauren's actions have raised a lot of money, touched many lives, and are the embodiment of who my sister was. This is exactly what my sister would be doing if she were alive today. In fact, this walk happens to be in the Saddle Brook NJ park where I took my sister for a wheelchair walk just before she passed, and was a favorite route for my sister and father with our dog Sandy many years ago.

Kathy was an amazing person. She lived her life with incredible selflessness, kindness, and love, always caring for others with endless compassion. Kathy started out as my "little" sister, who I wanted to protect and look out for. It turns out, as I watched her walk through life, especially the last chapter, she became my "big" sister who was my mentor and role model and life teacher. Her empathy and positive impact on everyone she knew was constant and meaningful. I still remember Kathy being very concerned and asking how she could help someone she heard was going through a very tough time. Mind you, this was from her bed while challenged with ALS, barely able to move or communicate, with not a thought about her own situation. Amazing! Giving to friends and family was all Kathy knew, all she did, and all she lived. Kathy faced her challenges with incredible grace and practicality born of tremendous faith.

Please consider making a donation in honor and memory of my sister, and for any of your loved ones who went through the challenges of a fatal disease. Please feel free to share this with any friend or family member who might be interested in donating.

It's important to me that this ALS organization not only uses these donations for vital research efforts, but they also provide support services and equipment for those affected by the disease today. Resources like these were vital to my sister's quality of life, including giving her the ability to communicate when her voice was silenced.

Brother Rob, who put his life on hold to become the most amazing loving heroic caregiver to our sister Kathy, used to always ask her "Who's better than you, kid?", with a joking voice steeped in love. The answer was always a resounding "Nobody!", and the fact that Kathy's legacy is still making lives better today says it all.

Take care, Be well;

Gary B

Achievements

$1,500 Raised

Raised the amount of money defined for this milestone

I Made a Difference!

I supported this event with a personal donation.

Personal Progress:

of Goal

$2,350 Raised

$3,000.00

Fundraising Honor Roll

Anonymous

Gary Borkes

$500

Janelle & Joseph Kirk

$250

Diane Pivarnik

$100

Gina Maroney

$100

Vince & Jolene

$100

Rodrigo Crispim

$100

Cheryl Bartlett

Craig

$85

Chris and Justine

Spence Seidel

$50

Elise Carver

$50

Sonia Martins

$50

Lois Czajkowski

Peter Herslow

$50

Robert Craig

$50

Rob Borkes

$50

Laverne Wolfanger

$25

Herm Huber

$25

Christine Donohue

$25

Gary Borkes Personal Walk ALS Page