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.

This year, I'm volunteering for the third time at the ALS TDI Tri State Trek, a cause that is incredibly close to my heart. In March 2024, my little cousin Elena lost her battle with ALS, and it's with her memory in mind along with everyone else I've met since learning about this awful disease that I've become such close friends along the way that I'm once again dedicating my time and energy to raising awareness and funds for ALS research.  One of those close friends being Andrea Lytle Peet who continues to blow me away with her strength, courage, perseverance and positivity through her time since being diagnosed with ALS.ALS is not a rare disease-it's underfunded, and the need for progress is urgent. Every donation helps fuel the research that will bring us closer to treatments and, eventually, a cure.  Please support our efforts, every dollar is a step further.  Go HAS Mamas! We love you Elena and Andrea!!!

My sweet niece Elena was diagnosed with ALS in March 2023 and lost her battle at age 27 in March 2024.  Let’s work together 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.

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.

I'm riding the Tri-State Trek for the second time in memory of Elena, who passed away from ALS in 2025. Elena was the daughter of our close friends, but to us she was family. We watched her grow up, celebrate milestones, and bring light and laughter into every room she entered.When ALS entered her life, Elena faced it with incredible courage. For one difficult year, I watched her battle this cruel disease with strength, grace, and determination that inspired everyone around her. Even as ALS slowly took away so much, it never took her spirit.Every mile I ride is for Elena - for her memory, for her family, and for the hope that one day no family will have to endure the heartbreak of ALS. Supporting the Tri-State Trek means supporting critical research, patient care, and the fight for a cure.

The ALS Therapy Development Institute (TDI) is the Drug Discovery Engine for ALS.  They are exclusively dedicated to discovering the medications needed to treat and cure ALS.Thank you for supporting me as I work to end ALS.

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

This will be my second year participating in the Tri-State Trek, riding the 100 mile route. I’m riding in memory of Elena Coccio alongside my wife, Elena’s wonderful family, and close friends. Please support my ride and help us raise as much money as possible to combat this critically underfunded and devastating disease.

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

Leah is a shining star taken from this world all too soon. Her work creating Her ALS Story provides a community for young women afflicted by ALS to lean into and a platform to launch their voices. She continues to inspire others to see themselves and challenge themselves beyond this disease, and to live every moment as fully as possible.   Please support my efforts To help end this hideous disease by supporting the fine research being done to find treatments and a cure.