My first job after college was in ALS clinical research. Every 90 minutes, someone is diagnosed with this cruel and devastating disease. Last year, this statistic hit close to home. Literally.

Next weekend, I?m walking in memory of my friend Tanya, a fellow mom on my street. She taught me that every second counts and reminded us all to Choose Joy, especially when things feel hard.

ALS is a progressive neuromuscular disease that slowly robs a person of the ability to walk, speak, swallow, and breathe. An ALS diagnosis is fatal because there is no cure.

I am walking so that, one day, when people hear the words, ?You have ALS,? it will no longer mean that they likely will die within two to five years. I?m walking to assure that when they need help, they will be able to get it from ALS United of Georgia. I am walking to give them hope.