For years, my father-in-law, Bruce (aka Googer to our kids) was a runner. A marathon runner. He knew what it meant to put one foot in front of the other, to keep going when the miles got hard, and to push toward a finish line.

Today, Bruce is facing a race he never chose — ALS.

This year, our family and friends are coming together to walk for him. We’ll be taking the steps that ALS has made harder for him to take, honoring the strength, determination, and perseverance that have always been such a big part of who he is.

We are participating in ALS United Greater New York’s Walk ALS not only to raise awareness, but to support the incredibly important work ALS United does for families like ours. ALS United provides people living with ALS and their families with critical care services, support, resources, education, and advocacy while also helping fund research aimed at developing better treatments and ultimately finding a cure.

When someone is diagnosed with ALS, the impact reaches far beyond that one person. Families suddenly find themselves navigating medical care, equipment, changing physical needs, and an entirely new reality. Organizations like ALS United help make sure they don’t have to navigate it alone.

ALS gradually takes away a person’s ability to walk, speak, swallow, and breathe. But it cannot take away the life they’ve lived, the people they’ve inspired, or the family and friends standing beside them.

Bruce has crossed plenty of finish lines in his life. Now we’re walking beside him toward the most important one yet: a world without ALS.

Please consider joining our team, walking with us in Bruce’s honor, or making a donation. Your support helps ALS United continue providing essential services to people living with ALS today while pushing forward the research that gives us hope for tomorrow.

For Bruce. For every family facing ALS. And for a cure.