Ten years. TEN YEARS. That’s how long it’s been since we’ve talked to Chris, since we’ve hugged him, since we took a walk or played a game with him. Since Chris was able to tell us how much he loves us.

We began fighting for a cure before we even knew that Chris was sick. August 2014 - Chris and I did the ice bucket challenge in our backyard with friends. The kids did it the next day. And we donated because we felt sympathy when we saw photos on the website.

We had absolutely no idea that a year later, our world as we knew it would cease to exist because of ALS. Chris started having symptoms, was diagnosed, and lost his fight – like every ALS patient does – in a span of eight months.  

Imagine that. In December you are fine, joyfully celebrating the holidays. In January your thumb is numb. In June you are diagnosed with what many consider the worst disease, one that robs you of your ability to move but not of your ability to feel, to think, and to know what is coming. In August, you can no longer breath without a machine, and, wanting your kids to remember you as a fun, playful, and loving dad that did anything and everything for them, because your kids are the center of your universe, you go Home.

Ten years later, we are making progress, but there are still families going through what we went through. That is why we formed TEAM J.A.C.K. (Jacob, Abigail, Chris, and Kelly) - to fight for a cure. For as long as it takes.
On September 20, 2025, TEAM J.A.C.K. will walk our 11th Walk ALS. We will not stop fighting, not until there is a cure for ALS so no one – no child, no parent, no spouse, no friend – has to suffer the loss of someone they love to ALS.

Thank you, on behalf of Team J.A.C.K. –Jacob, Abigail, Chris, and Kelly – thank you.

Sincerely,
Kelly Risotto
Team J.A.C.K.