I am volunteering for the Tri State Trek in honor of my niece, Elena, who passed away from ALS on March 1, 2024. Elena faced this devastating disease with incredible strength and grace, and her courage continues to inspire me every day. Volunteering is my way of honoring her memory and supporting the fight against ALS through research, care, and advocacy. I hope my involvement helps bring awareness, support families affected by ALS, and move us closer to a cure.

Dear Friends and Family,In Honor of Elena Coccio, On June 21&22, 2025, I'm joining hundreds of participants for Tri-State Trek to End ALS and I need your help to make my efforts matter! With your help, we can make a difference for people living with ALS and take steps toward a cure.  ALS affects the motor neurons in a person's brain and spinal cord. When the motor neurons die, the muscles waste away. Gradually, a person is robbed of the ability to walk, speak, eat, and eventually breathe. All the while, the mind remains sharp. Upon diagnosis, doctors give ALS patients only two to five years to live. Currently, there is no known cause or cure for ALS. And that's why I’m Biking– for those who can’t. I’m biking to raise funds for ALS research at the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI). ALS TDI is a nonprofit research lab dedicated to finding effective treatments for ALS. In their Watertown based lab, ALS TDI has screened over 550 potential treatments for ALS – more than any other ALS research lab in the world. I’m biking to support their cutting-edge research. I’m biking to join the movement for a cure. My personal fundraising goal is $2,000. I hope you’ll join the movement, too, and help me reach it.By making a one-time, tax-deductible donation, you can truly make a difference in the fight against ALS. Please visit my online fundraising website to make a donation (https://tst.als.net/heidibaker), or send your contribution to me at 177 Davis Ave Cranston, RI 02910.You can also mail it straight to ALS TDI: 480 Arsenal St, Ste 201, Watertown, MA 02472 (include this form and/or a note that it should be credited to HAS mamas). Checks can be made payable to ALS TDI. Any amount you feel comfortable giving is deeply appreciated. After all, every dollar counts! Thank you for helping create a world without ALS.Sincerely, HeidiP.S. Your employer may have a matching gift policy. If so, you can easily double or triple your pledge. Just send in your company's matching gift form along with your check. Check out https://www.als.net/support-us/matching-gift/ to see whether your company participates.Working to End ALS by supporting ALS research at ALS TDI. Please support my efforts.