On September 20th of this year, my family and I are participating in Walk ALS Georgia to raise awareness and money to support Georgians living with ALS.  In late 2022, my uncle Jim Pridgen was diagnosed with ALS and over the next several months we watched him fight and fight some more against the most unforgiving disease that I have ever seen.  My uncle was the finest man I have ever known and his legacy of love, spirit, faith, and class will last forever.  We are walking in this year's Walk ALS Georgia event to spotlight his, and so many others', brave battle against ALS.   

During his fight, I felt so helpless.  What could I be doing? How can I help him? How can I help others who suffer from ALS?  For many people like me, the answer is to participate in Walk ALS Georgia, which raises awareness and money to support Georgians living with ALS.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neuromuscular disease that slowly robs a person of the ability to walk, speak, swallow, and breathe. It can strike anyone and, although there has been a lot of advancements in ALS research, we still don’t know what causes it. An ALS diagnosis is fatal because there is no cure.

My uncle was always there when I needed him the most and now I am wanting to be there for him.  I walk to bring awareness to his fight, his heart, and his spirit. In October of 2023, almost a year after his diagnosis, Jim Pridgen passed away from ALS with his amazing husband Art by his side, and surrounded by family and loved ones.   We walk to make sure my uncle and all the heroes who fought ALS know they are not forgotten and their legacy propels all of us to help find a cure.  

You may not know anyone with ALS, but you do know me, and I am asking for your support. Will you please consider joining me to make strides in the fight against ALS? You can join our team or make a gift to support our team. Either way, with your help, we can enhance the lives of people living with ALS, every day until we find a cure.