Hi, this is Rick Alarcon, AKA BullDawg Rick! I am gathering a team for ALS Georgia 5K in support of ALS and its victims. I would like for you to become a team member! There is no charge to participate. If you would like to make a donation, that would be greatly appreciated. The walk is September 19th at 8:30 AM. At Georgia State Stadium, Old Turner Field.

To provide a brief blurb of my challenge: I was be-bopping along in life, contemplating retirement, and all the free time I would share with my wife, family and kids, especially my grandkids, and my many good friends. I planned to travel, play pickleball, swim, you know, just do life!  However, mid-August of 2025, I experienced  weakness in my left arm while swimming. I went to a neurologist on September 3rd who did some preliminary tests and he believed I might have ALS. I went for further testing on September 17th, and he determined from additional results that the diagnosis is ALS. I met with Doctor John Glass of Emory on December 8th of 2025, He confirmed. ALS. Doctor Glass put me in touch with the VA, and the Paralyzed Veterans of America. They are a tremendous group of the most caring advocates there are and I am extremely thankful for their help.

I have been in decline since my diagnosis. My left hand and arm pretty much dangle from my left shoulder. My right hand and arm are also very weak. Thank God I still have use of my legs.

I have an outstanding supporting cast:  My wife, my children, my grandchildren, sister, friends (old and new), and neighbors have been more kind, generous and helpful than I could have ever have hoped for. The struggle is Real. But with this supporting cast, who I will run through a wall for, I am making it each day!  They keep me strong and keep me going.

So friends, if you would like to support this cause, I would love for you to be a part of this fight against ALS. I hope to see you September 19th, at Old Turner Field at 8:30 AM.

I would like to leave you with my mantra that is helping me through this until my final day:

Surely God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord is my strength, and my song. He has become my salvation.

Isaiah 12: 2.

Thank you and God Bless.

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.