Dear friends, family and colleagues,
This June, I will be participating in my 2nd Tri-State Trek, a weekend charity cycling event to raise invaluable funds to end Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease). I have committed to riding 100 miles for 2 consecutive days in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts with CRUSH ALS/Team Bannon. Last year I was able to complete my pledged 130 miles due to the tremendous support I received from so many generous donors. Last year’s ride raised a total of $590,000 from the event and over the years, CRUSH ALS/Team Bannon has raised more than $2 million. Every dollar raised goes directly to the operating budget for Boston-based ALS-Therapy Development Institute (TDI), the nation’s leading research lab for ALS based in Watertown, MA. So this year I am asking you again to match last year's support and, if possible,to dig deeper a give a litte more.
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Participating in last year's fundraiser was an extraordinary experience! Both days saw rain, with the last 25 miles of the 100 mile ride on day 1 through driving rain. The ride on day 2 was cut short due to storms and the 30 miles that we finished was completely through rain. At least we didn’t get overheated!
But the ride and rain are distant seconds to the most impactful event of the weekend, which was the evening ceremonies during which attendees living with and battling ALS as well as friends and family members whose lives have been deeply affected by the disease shared their thoughts, experiences and deep gratitude for the event. We heard from the seemingly healthy and vibrant medical student who was recently diagnosed with ALS, and from a gentleman in the later stages of the disease who used the opportunity to fulfill his lifetime dream of becoming a stand-up comedian. Yes, he had the room aroar in laughter but, moreso, extremely moved by his bravery and courage. It helped put the ride into perspective: what we are doing with donating and riding pales in comparison to the struggles and prognoses those afflicted with the disease face for the remainder of their lives.
Last year I said that riding is the hard part and donating is easy. I am to be corrected: living with ALS and finding a cure are the hard parts, riding and donating are easy. I will be riding. Will you donate?
Say YES and click on the donate button below OR if you would like your donation to make you eligible for a raffle for a free weekend ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, click on this link https://fundraise.als.net/weekendaway and enter my name on the form.
Thank you!!!
Carla Devlin
