Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. I'm participating in ALS United Greater New York’s Walk ALS to raise funds that will support families affected by ALS - families like mine. 

My husband, Jim Cunningham, lost his beautiful mother, Marion, to ALS on July 13, 2000 - only 9 months after they danced together at our wedding.  Marion was in a wheelchair at that point but this didn't stop her and Jim from spinning together to Fly Me to the Moon on the dance floor to everyone's delight! Throughout the next year, Jim and his siblings cared for Marion, sometimes around the clock, so she could remain in her home on Watchung Avenue in West Orange  - the house that was built by her husband and in which they raised their family. 

Jim and I knew the cruel, brutality of an ALS diagnosis up close. But we never imagined that Jim would be diagnosed at age 58 after experiencing some minor weakness in his left hand.  Jim received his diagnosis in November, 2023.  Just last summer, he was doing everything he loved: hiking, camping and swimming in Lake George. As we near the end of this summer, he has endured so many losses. He's lost the ability shower, get dressed, walk, write, type or eat without assistance. We could never imagine one year ago that this would happen - to Jim and to us. 

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. The life expectancy of a person with ALS averages 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis. ALS can strike anyone regardless of age, gender, nationality, or ethnicity, although it is primarily an adult-onset disease. Currently there is no known cause or cure.

JIm and I believe that being a part of ALS United Greater New York’s WALK ALS is the number one way to unite and fundraise for those living with ALS. Thank you so much for supporting my efforts by donating through my fundraising page for our team, WATCHUNG CUNNINGHAMs

Your donation today will help fund resources and services to the local ALS community, help find new ALS treatments, and, most importantly, 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!

Thank you.