Freepers needed to battle ALS

FreeRepublic Exlcusive | Wed, 29 March 2006 | William Toebe

[gnarledmaw]

How does a hairdresser meeting a comedian equal a Freeper working to assist in the battle against Lou Gehrig's Disease?

Oprah made me do it.

Not really, but she is part of this story. Confused? I am too, at least at the way that seemingly small events in one persons life can add up with events in anothers to become something very important. Its a strange and winding path to where I am today, let me show you the way thus far, I think you might wish to continue this journey with me...

Tim Pfaffendorf was the owner of a hair salon in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Due to Tim's kindness and sense of humor he quickly became friends with those he knew. One day Tim began slurring his speech. At first it seemed a minor issue in and of itself but the arrival of other symptoms caused him to seek help. After a series of misdiagnoses, Tim found himself at the Mayo Clinic and there he discovered he had Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease).

Tim's condition quickly deteriorated. When his friends from the salon asked if there was anything they could do to help his only wish was that somebody would bring better awareness of the disease and try to find a cure. His friends, including my wife, Jillaine Toebe, formed "Walk Around The Block" and held an event to raise money for the cause. Tim lost his struggle shortly thereafter.

A small dedicated group came together for the next couple of years to remember Tim and try to carry out his final wish. It was during this time that I was made aware of a connection between ALS and Desert Storm (my service era) and the effect it had on some veterans. I then became involved in the cause also.

My wife and I then, for reasons unrelated to the charity, received tickets to the Oprah Winfrey Show. We went and in the aftermath, due to, lets say "unfortunate reporting" and the way print media is distributed, received a disproportionate amount of the national attention that followed. This led to our being guests on "The Daily Show". Jillaine had kept saying that she wished the attention could be used to bring attention to ALS and that caused me to come up with a couple of ideas on how that could be done. I decided to take this opportunity to get advice from Bob Wiltfong, who played the reporter in our segment. It turned out that Bob was already involved in finding a cure by working with Chris Pendergast, founder of "Ride For Life".

Im proud to say that through Jillaine meeting Chris, "Walk Around The Block" is now a totally volunteer affiliate of "Ride For Life", a 501(c)(3) tax deductible charity.

Here we are where I started this story and I invite you to continue on to the next step...

The Fourth Annual "Walk Around The Block"
For the first time ever, "Walk Around The Block"; brings together "Ride For Life" and the "MDA"
Saturday, June 17th, 2006
The Bar Green Bay (a block East of Lambeau Field)
2001 Holmgren Way
Green Bay, WI 54324

Registration 10:00 AM
$15.00 at the door (includes entrance, food, beverages, and entertainment)
Children 10 yrs and under FREE

Walk Time 11:00-1:00
Door prizes, silent auction, mystery board
Many activities for families

1:00 - 8:00pm Featuring bands:
Replica
Johnny Wad
Nashville Pipeline
and Annex
$10.00 at the door after 1:00pm

Budwieser premiers its new aluminum bottle by giving a free beer to the first 100 people
Beer bars, sponsored by Budweiser, open at 1:00PM

and much more to enjoy...

All proceeds will go for Research, Patient Care and Awareness.

"RAIN OR SHINE"

[gnarledmaw]

ALS FACTS
ALS is 100% fatal, most patients die within 2-3 years of diagnosis
Every 90 minutes an American dies from ALS.
Over 30,000 Americans currently have ALS.
6,000 people will be diagnosed every year with ALS.
ALS has no known cause, cure or effective treatment.
ALS can strike anyone regardless of race, gender or age

Wisconsin is a hot spot for diagnosis of cases of ALS, with some areas reaching four times the national average.

Air Force Gulf War veterans 2.7 times more likely to develop ALS than non-Gulf veterans
Army Gulf War veterans 2 times more likely to develop ALS than non-Gulf veterans
...and unless something has changed we may soon be looking at a lot more cases in our newly returning vets.

We still need your help!
If you are a business leader, please consider becoming a sponsor

If you would like to donate directly, visit our (soon to be completed) website at Http://www.walkaroundtheblock.org

If you are a celebrity, author, business owner or other that may be able to make a tax deductable donation of talent or items to help, please contact:

Freepmail:
gnarledmaw

Snailmail:
Walk Around The Block
c/o William Toebe
PO Box 28144
Green Bay, WI 54324-0144

or email:
walkaroundtheblock@outdrs.net

[Dacula]

Good luck and much success with you event. I lost my mother 10 years ago to ALS and not much has changed in the treatment or cure of ALS.

[tom paine 2]

My dad died as a result of ALS. It was horrible to watch. My mom does not sleep with the lights out any more.

[gnarledmaw]

Wisconsin is a hot spot for diagnosis of cases of ALS, with some areas reaching four times the national average.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Wisconsin Freeper Ping!

Looks like fun. Rufus (Basset Hound) & I have done the "Dog Jog" for our local "Angel's Wish" (pet adoption) group.

[PLOM...NOT!]

Hi gnarledmaw. Was Tim in the Gulf War?

[gnarledmaw]

No, Tim belonged to at least 3 other groups with a higher prevalence, those being: resident of Wisconsin, farmer (grew up on a farm), and involved with hair care.

I dont remember ever having asked him why he didnt join. If I were to guess based on the things I was told then I would say his early pursuit of a family of his own just didnt include it.

[PLOM...NOT!]

I ask only because of the higher incidence stated in your article for Gulf War vets.
As a GB Freeper I will do everything in my power to be there on June 17th to help and honor Tim. My hairdresser worked with Tim but left around the time he had been diagnosed, to work closer to home.
I'm sure she will be there too, it sounds like it will be a good time and a great way to raise awareness.