This will be my second year walking in memory of my father, Mickey "Shy Tuna" Johnston, who courageously fought ALS for 9 years. I'm honored to lead Team Shy Tuna alongside my co-captain, Della!

He was not only my dad, but my best friend. After being diagnosed in 2011, he decided it was time to really start living. Skydiving, hangliding, traveling across the world, attending more concerts than I can count...he was determinded to live with ALS, not for it.

He was always decked out in tie dye, hoping it would bring a smile to those around him But he took it one step further when he started "Shy Dye Love Ministries"-a fully donation based project where he sent tie dye shirts to pALS with the hope that it would brighten their day.

I am walking to continue his legacy of spreading love, hope, and awareness for ALS. I am walking so that, one day, when Georgians hear the words, "You have ALS," it will no longer mean that they likely will die within two to five years. I am walking so that Georgians living with ALS today know that they are not alone. 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.

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.

If you know me, you know my dad. You know how hard he advocated for families living with ALS worldwide. 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.