Members of UNCW’s Graduate Student Association will join people from all over North Carolina on Saturday, April 30 for the 5K “Walk to D’Feet ALS” around Wrightsville Beach Loop.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as “Lou Gehrig’s disease,” is a neurodegenerative disease that for unknown reasons causes motor neurons, which control voluntary muscle movement, to die. Although the disease typically leads to complete paralysis in the final stages, most ALS patients maintain full cognitive capabilities.

“We are expecting close to 700 people to walk, and our goal is to raise $90,000. So far, we are well on our way,” said Megan Gardner, Development Director for the Catfish Chapter of the ALS Association.

According to Gardner, money from the walk will go to research and to provide services such as support groups, patient programs, and a “loan closet” which rents equipment to ALS patients in the Carolinas.

“Because ALS moves so quickly and at any one time only 30,000 people in the U.S. have ALS, not as much money is given for research,” said Jennifer Bianchi, an ALS activist and president of GSA.

ALS occurs sporadically typically between the ages of 40 and 70. In rare cases, people in their twenties and thirties have been diagnosed as well.

Bianchi was diagnosed with ALS three years ago, at the age of 26. It took seven years and countless experts to figure out what was wrong with the former Virginia Tech track and field athlete.

“At the time, I was somewhat okay with my diagnosis – only because in 2000, a neurologist had told me that although he didn’t know what I had, I probably only had two years to live,” said Bianchi. Adjusting to the disease has been difficult for Bianchi. Things that she once took for granted such as walking, climbing stairs, or even writing have now become very difficult.

However, one thing that the disease has not affected is Bianchi’s sense of humor. “It is kind of hard not to be humble when you are lying on the ground saying ‘Help! – I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!'” joked Bianchi.

The average life expectancy after the onset of the disease is between two and five years. However, 15 percent of patients will live 10-20 years after the onset of the disease.

“While I am not actively seeking death, I am going to make the most of everyday that I have left-I am not giving up, but I am realistic,” said Bianchi.

Registration for the walk begins at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, April 30. For more information contact Megan Gardner at 1-877-569-4347 or go to www.catfishchapter.org.