Dear Friends and Family,In Honor of Elena Coccio who lost her courageous battle with ALS at a very young age.On June 27 & 28th 2026, 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 $2,500. 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.

Working to End ALS by supporting ALS research at ALS TDI. Please support my efforts.

_______________________Dear Friends and Family,This June, I will be participating in a weekend charity cycling event called the Tri-State Trek. This incredible event raises money to end Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease), a neurodegenerative disorder that paralyzes the body but leaves the mind intact. People with ALS, on average, live between three to five years following diagnosis. For most people with ALS, there are no treatments to help slow or stop disease progression. I am participating in the Tri-State Trek to help change that.All funds from the Trek will support ALS research at the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI). Located in Watertown, MA, ALS TDI is a nonprofit biotech and the world’s most comprehensive drug development lab dedicated solely to discovering treatments for ALS.I have committed myself to riding 100 miles in 1 day and raising $1,500.00. ALS demands our attention, and I will do all I can to help. I am asking for your help to reach my fundraising goal.Riding is the hard part; donating is easy. You can easily donate online by visiting my fundraising page at https://tst.als.net/josephcruz Every dollar counts, any amount helps, and all of your support will help me reach my goal!Thank you so much for your time and consideration. See you at the finish line!Working to End ALS by supporting ALS research at ALS TDI. Please support my efforts.

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.

This is my third year participating in the Tri-State Trek. I am riding in memory of a beautiful young soul, Elena Coccio. She was taken from us by this horrible disease at age 27. By supporting ALS research at ALS TDI you will be helping the devoted researchers make strides. I would appreciate anything you can donate to help me reach my goal.

Working to End ALS by supporting ALS research at ALS TDI. Please support my efforts.

This year marks my second time riding in the Tri-State Trek, where I will be cycling 30 miles to raise awareness and funds to fight ALS. In March 2023, my best friend, Elena Coccio, was diagnosed with FUS ALS, a rare and devastating form of this disease. Just one year later, we lost her far too soon.Growing up with Elena by my side was a gift I will always cherish. Her strength and spirit continue to inspire me every day. ALS remains an incredibly underfunded disease with no cure, and I am committed to contributing to the fight against it.I am honored to ride alongside Liz Coccio, Elena’s amazing mom, who has been a tireless advocate for her daughter and the ALS community. Together, we ride to honor Elena’s memory and to help bring us closer to a world without ALS.

My husband, Len Sansoucy, was an ALS warrior.  He faced the disease with thoughtfulness, dignity, and his ever-present humor.  He also did everything he could to further ALS research by volunteering for studies, monthly donating blood, and becoming a potential subject for brain implants at MGH.  Sadly, the disease took him too soon to participate.Len and I went to Watertown and toured ALS TDI.  We were so very impressed. At the time I saw the cycling jersey on the wall and knew I would have a way to continue the ALS fight for the both of us.  I am riding to support the work of ALS TDI in hopes that a cure will be found.  I ride with the HAS Mamas.  They are a great group of people who welcomed me to the team last year.  HAS stands for Her ALS Story.  While ALS mostly effects older men, it can be found in young woman as well.  The founder of this team lost her 26-year-old daughter, Elena, to ALS.