‘Walk to Defeat ALS’ Gives Hope to Local Families
On December 13th, 2013, Jan, a vibrant and joyful woman who positively impacted the lives of all she knew, was diagnosed with ALS. Jan's world was shattered and she knew that the outlook for her future was grim. Despite this, Jan never gave up fighting. Right until the day that she took her last breath, Christmas Eve 2014, Jan carried hope in her heart that one day ALS would eradicated.
While Jan has departed this earthly world, her wish to destroy ALS lives on in her niece, Robyn Hawley on Johnson City. When Jan was diagnosed with ALS and discovered she could no longer care for herself, it was Robyn and her husband John who welcomed Jan into their home with open arms. Robyn, John, and Robyn's children put their own lives on hold so they could care for Jan and they say that they would do it all over, again and again.
The DICK'S Sporting Goods Open happens at the En-Joie Golf Course in Endicott August 13th through the 19th and to close out the event on Sunday the 19th will be a very special walk up the 18th green, right behind the final group of golfers. The walk? It's the "Walk to Defeat ALS" and you can bet that Robyn will be participating in honor of her aunt Jan!
Proceeds from the Walk to Defeat ALS will benefit the ALS Association Upstate New York Chapter. This walk is the organization's largest event and it helps raise funds that allow local chapters to sustain care services and support research for much of the next year with the primary focus being on helping local ALS patients and their families. Families just like Robyn's.
The Walk to Defeat ALS is a family-friendly event, where families and companies are invited to walk together with one goal in mind- to defeat ALS. Registration begins at 1 p.m. and the walk begins at 4 p.m. If you'd like to pre-register, you can do that here.
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