2026 United Airlines NYC Half: Michelle Kazam

In 2019, my mother-in-law, Bonnie Kazam, passed away from ALS. She was a lively, vivacious, active person who fought valiantly to stay as vital as possible for as long as she could. This terrible disease affects so many and in her honor, I have chosen to run the New York City Half Marathon in March on Team ALS.

Please join me in supporting ALS United Greater New York, not only in their search for a cure, but also for their community support and patient services for those who are fighting this devastating disease.

Please share any stories or memories you have of Bonnie and I will carry them with me as I run this spring.

More information about ALS and ALS United Greater New York can be found below.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is a progressive disease of the nervous system that affects cells in the brain and spinal cord. Presently, there is no known cure for ALS.

Every ninety minutes, someone is diagnosed with the disease, and someone passes away from it.
90% of ALS cases occur without any known family history or genetic cause. The remaining 10% of ALS cases are inherited through a mutated gene with a known connection to the disease.
55 is the average age of onset with most people who develop ALS between the ages of 40 and 70. However, cases of the disease do occur in people in their twenties and thirties.
ALS is 20% more common in men than women. However, with increasing age, the incidence of ALS is more equal between men and women.
Military veterans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with the disease than the general public for yet unknown reasons.

I joined Team ALS to push my physical limits for those who can't anymore. I want to bring hope, raise awareness and make an impact - and you can help me! Please donate, because -

Together We End ALS!

Achievements