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Sweet Patina Challenge Brings New Life to the Fight Against ALS

April 7, 2022 by Rhema Jones 2 Comments

When Blake Evans felt inspired to combine his passion for cars with his heart for the ALS community, something unexpected happened. One rusty ‘57 Chevy and 48 states later, Blake and a small crew of family and friends created the Sweet Patina Challenge to embark what seemed like an impossible road trip to support the fight against ALS.

A Family Passion for Cars

Blake Evans, born and raised in Mississippi, grew up around cars from an early age. “I was born into it. My grandfather and my dad were old car guys,” he shared. “They restored old cars and always did the car show things.” The family passion for car restoration trickled down to Blake, and as he grew older, so did his own interest in cars.

“My main passion and hobby in life is tinkering with these old cars and taking them out on road trips, going out and finding the old junky ones that nobody thinks will ever run again and bringing them back to life.”

Today at 38-years-old, Blake lives in North Texas with his high school sweetheart wife of 14 years. They moved to Texas about 15 years ago when she came to be a cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys. And now they have three beautiful children, one girl and two boys. They thought they’d be in Texas for just a couple of years. However, the Evans family fell in love with the Lone Star State and never left.

One thing didn’t change though—Blake’s love of cars. Years before coming to Texas, Blake also discovered another key passion that would later inspire him to join the fight to defeat ALS.

An Unexpected Interest in Healthcare

When it came time for Blake to graduate from high school, he knew he didn’t want to follow the traditional college route. “I actually wanted to be a firefighter when I graduated high school,” he shared. Unfortunately, Blake pinched a nerve while working for a fence company which put a pause on these plans.

“I went to a physical therapist and he started talking me through the education and all to become a Physical Therapists Assistant (PTA).” This chance encounter changed the trajectory of Blake’s life. Following much thought, Blake decided he wanted to pursue this career path—“I realized it was possible.”

Blake graduated from the PTA program in 2007 and immediately started working in sports rehab at an outpatient clinic. He also gained experience with nursing home and hospital work at this time. After moving to Texas with his wife, he found himself working in home health. That’s where Blake felt he shone as a PTA. “It just really clicked with my personality.”

Through this position, he met many people and supported them through numerous diseases such as Parkinson’s, MS, and ALS. “There’s such a wide variety of stuff you get with home health. It’s not just cookie cutter.”

A Budding Friendship

While Blake encountered many families along his career, he connected deeply with one of them. Several years ago, he met Mr. Bernard Rudler, who was living with ALS, and his wife. “There was something about Mr. Bernard that me and him kinda clicked. He had always been watching the old car restoration shows when I’d be there.”

Both Blake and Bernard enjoyed motorcycles and old cars. They connected more with each other more as Blake shared the adventures of fixing cars with his father. He would bring photos to share with Bernard of the cars during their appointments.

Through this friendship, Blake discovered the hardships those living with ALS and their caregivers face daily. “It’s heartbreaking,” he shared. “We’ve got these people battling this disease that there’s no cure for!” He decided that he wanted to do something about it.

Discovering the Patina World

While Blake worked as a Physical Therapists Assistant, he still found time to visit his dad to restore old cars. In fact, his father is known as one of the best automotive painters in Mississippi.

“Everybody is used to us having the really pretty shiny old cars,” Blake noted. He noticed a new trend growing in the car restoration space. Folks would restore the interior and hardware of an old rusty car but leave them rusty. This style of car generates a lot of attention. “You roll up in a rusty car and people wonder how you even got here,” Blake shared laughing. “It got us into the Patina World—which is the rusty car look.”

Blake and his father started doing road trips with their restored patina cars. These trips would soon inspire him to start his own challenge. He experienced some burnout with the traditional car shows, but he didn’t want to give up on his hobby. In 2018, an idea struck him.

“If we could take my career in healthcare, my passion for the old cars, and my love for helping other people and put them all together, this was kind of the recipe for it. The rest of it just started happening.”

Inspiration to Support the ALS Mission

Blake recalls the day he approached his dad about the idea. “We need to be doing something bigger, for a cause or something.” When his father asked what he had in mind, Blake responded, “I think I’m gonna try to drive this old car to 48 states.”

Blake’s father was shocked at the suggestion. “You think it can make it that far?” he asked. His father also brought up the considerations of having to balance family, home, work and an intense road trip. But Blake was persistent and knew he could do it. “The idea kept coming in my mind and I couldn’t shake it. I’m sure I bugged the heck out of my wife with it. She’s always supporting of my crazy ideas,” Blake shared.

He knew he wanted this road trip to act as a fundraiser for ALS, so he approached Mr. Bernard about the idea. Like many others, Bernard’s first question was, ‘You think that car’s gonna make it that far?’ And when Blake revealed he wanted the trip to benefit ALS, he remembered how Mr. Bernard selflessly responded. ‘Don’t do anything to raise money for me. Raise it for the Association [of Texas].’ Blake connected with ALS Texas to get everything set up.

The Sweet Patina Challenge

Pretty soon, they departed in a 57’ Chevy and the Sweet Patina Challenge was born. “You go drive a new car to 48-states, you’re like ‘that’s cool.’ But if you can take an old car and do it, everybody’s paying attention to that,” Blake shared.

Their main goal was to travel to the lower-48 states and participate in car shows along the way. The funds raised from these shows and the help of community sponsors supported their travels and most importantly create greater contributions to the ALS Association chapters.

Upon establishing his goals for the trip, Blake then turned to the community that he loved dearly. “I knew how generous the car community was,” Blake shared. He worked to build a team of partners and who could help with the cross-country road trip. “We were very mission driven.”.

The team split up Sweet Patina Challenge into four different legs. They partnered with shops across the country to store the car between the segments of the trip. This allowed Blake and the team to spend precious time with family and maintain their local obligations.

Blakes dedicated team of his father and friends were with him every mile of the trip. “We were extremely blessed. We had two different friends of ours who were mechanically inclined…They kept the car exactly how we needed it.”

Memorable People and Places Along the Way

Along the way, they not only stopped at car shows, but also notable tourist attractions. “We tried to hit most of the big landmarks because that’s where the crowds would be,” Blake shared. He listed off many places like Niagara Falls, Mount Rushmore, Pike’s Peak, Devil’s Tower, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Sequoia National Park. He laughed as he remembered the day the team drove across Death Valley in California. They even fried an egg on the hood of the Chevy to demonstrate the intense temperatures.

“The highlights of the trip would definitely be getting to actually stop and meet the people that are battling it [ALS].” Through those families, he saw not only how the disease affects each patient differently, but also the hardship it places on the caregivers. “It’s really tough to see the caregivers struggling.” These encounters only lit more fire in Blake to help in the pursuit of a cure and better resources for ALS caregivers.

Inspiring Nationwide Local Support for the ALS Mission

Not only did they support the ALS Association Texas Chapter, but they also created fundraisers for all 42 chapters in the US. Whenever possible, Blake’s crew met with other local ALS Association chapters along the way. The more attention the car generated, the more they could share the ALS mission with the entire country.

“You go drive a new car to 48-states, you’re like ‘that’s cool.’ But If you can take an old car and do it, everybody’s paying attention to that.”

They would direct folks to donate to their local chapters when they asked about the road trip. “Now we have donations in 21 of the chapters across the country,” Blake enthusiastically shared. Just in the beginning of November, the team hit the $32,000 mark of total donations nationwide. Texas leads that effort with about $25,000 in donations! “It was an incredible trip. It’s kind of emotional thinking back on it,” Blake reminisced.

Honoring the Man Who Inspired the Challenge

Mr. Bernard Rudler passed from ALS earlier in 2020. While Blake couldn’t finish the trip before his passing, he knew Mr. Bernard wanted him to continue the fight against ALS. The fond memories of Mr. Bernard carried his team forward.

Blake, his father, and friends, Neal and Jacobe, kept on pushing and finished the final west-coast leg of the trip this summer. He remembered how the four men would celebrate with high-fives and hugs at each stop, feeling prouder as they came closer to finishing the goal.

“We took what passion we had for doing and we stuck to it…No excuses. We finished our 48-state drive.” – Blake Evans.

Turning Your Passion into Action

When asked how he’d encourage others to join the fight to defeat ALS, Blake emphasized the importance of passion. “If you can find something that you’re passionate about, you can make it successful. It’s gonna take persistence. Its gonna take time and sacrifice…. Know that it’s going to a good cause.”

For Blake his love of cars and passion for the ALS community turned into something amazing that will impact not only Texans with ALS but also those living ALS across the entire country. “I’m just proud that we did it,” he joyfully shared.

Blake like many others hopes to one day find a cure for ALS. He also hopes for better support for caregivers across the country and treatments to slow the progression. Every one of us has a role to play in the fight to for a world without ALS. “We all just gotta keep doing what we can to help find a cure,” he shared. Blake alluded to wanting to do another road trip down the road, but we’ll have to wait to see what the future holds.

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Blake extends his sincere thanks to the friends, family, community partners and sponsors who helped make his trip possible. View them here.

Filed Under: Fundraising, Stories Tagged With: als community, fundraising

Mowing Down ALS One Yard at a Time

March 28, 2022 by Rhema Jones Leave a Comment

At fifteen-years-old, David Sedate is no stranger to ALS. When he was just 8, his Grandpa Rich was diagnosed with the disease and passed two years later. Today, David has committed to honoring his grandfather’s legacy by supporting the fight to end ALS. 

One of David’s favorite memories of his Grandpa Rich was when they’d vacation to Montana together. It’s where Rich had grown up. Their 2012 trip would forever change their lives. It was then that the family first started noticing respiratory symptoms in their Grandpa. He’d soon after being diagnosed with ALS after visiting the ALS Clinic at UT Health San Antonio.

Following the diagnosis, the Sedate family relocated to a larger home to make room for their grandparents to move in. Rich’s ALS progressed quickly. Just soon after the family found out he had the disease, he couldn’t walk well anymore. He relied on a wheelchair to get around the house and spent a lot of time in bed. “It was always hard to see him like that,” David shared. But despite the adjustments he felt grateful that his grandpa was so close. “I got to spend a lot of time with him and see him a lot.”

Finding Support through ALS Texas

During that time, the family found support through the ALS Association of Texas. David’s mother recalls the challenges she faced making sure her father had the supplies he needed. “I found out and what I know a lot of ALS caregivers face is my dad was prescribed equipment that he needed, but the insurance doesn’t exactly really quickly approve all of those kinds of things, and so you get caught in the middle.”

She shared how ALS Texas was there to help fill the gaps when needed. At one point, Rich was in major need of a BIPAP machine. Unfortunately, insurance didn’t work fast enough to approve it. Through the equipment loan program at ALS Texas, the family was loaned a BIPAP machine free of cost. They even utilized a volunteer respiratory therapist who came to their house to show them how to use the machine.

I saw his lungs be able to fill up with air and it was the first deep breath he’d taken in a long time—and I just started crying. – Kristin Sedate

Through the Equipment Loan Program, they also received ramps to make the home accessible for Grandpa Rich’s wheelchair. The family also found community through local support groups.

Remembering Beautiful Moments

Just two years after being diagnosed with ALS, Grandpa Rich passed from the disease. Though he’s no longer with David physically, his memories of his grandfather carry him forward. David reminisced on the sweet memories he’d made with his Grandpa Rich during his childhood—from camping trips, to hikes, to exploring the State of Texas.

Even while living with ALS, David’s grandfather kept making memories. He taught David how to play the board game, Cribbage, and played it together every chance they got. One of his favorite memories with his grandfather after the diagnosis was the time he came to Grandparent’s Day at his school.

“So even it meant a lot to me, cause even though you know he was struggling with all the stuff he decided to come out and spend the day with me, it really meant a lot,” David shared.

Mowing Down ALS

David cherishes the memory of his Grandpa Rich as he navigates life. Today, he’s a Sophomore at Ronald Reagan High School and plays the trumpet in the school’s marching band. His band just recently won ninth place at the National Marching Band competition. When he’s not at school or band practice, David spends time with his new dog Pepper. He’s also found joy in a practical hobby—mowing lawns.

David’s older brother used to mow lawns for family and friends. When David turned 14, he started mowing lawns himself to make extra money. Instead of keeping the earnings to himself, David decided to contribute a portion of each lawn a good cause. He chose ALS Texas to receive those funds to support people like his Grandpa Rich living with the disease.

David’s mom, Kristin, is very proud of him and the work he’s doing in memory of her father through David’s Mow Down ALS. He encourages other youth to not be discouraged in getting involved in fundraising. Even the small amounts add up and bring us closer to a world without this terrible disease. Together, we can find a cure!

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Filed Under: Fundraising, Stories, Uncategorized Tagged With: fundraising

Positivity in the Face of ALS: Andrew Szabo’s Story

December 16, 2021 by Rhema Jones Leave a Comment

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Positivity in the Face of ALS: Andrew Szabo's Story

As a published author, marketing professional, and dedicated triathlete, Andrew has spent his life pushing the limits. Still today, even in the face of ALS, nothing holds him back. 

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Andrew Szabo grew up in England, though his family is of Hungarian heritage. In his early adulthood, Andrew moved to Chicago with Hyatt Hotels in 1980 where he meet his wife, Melissa. In April 1986, the two married and moved to Washington, D.C. where their two children were born. The family later relocated to Las Colinas, just outside of Dallas. Andrew and Melissa have lived there ever since.

In the 41 years since Andrew has lived in the U.S., he’s built an incredible life with his family while balancing an impressive career in customer service and marketing. Andrew has worked for some of the largest direct marketing agencies as well as smaller agencies. Over the last decade, Andrew struck out on his own to speak at conferences and push the envelope as an entrepreneur. He is also the co-author of Positively Outrageous Service, which has sold over 300K copies worldwide.

Through Andrew’s career he’s tapped into his positive spirit, working with national brands, hospitals, and cities to elevate their customer experience. “I love my business,” Andrew shared.

Pushing the Limits As an Athlete

When Andrew is not inspiring others with his marketing and customer experience knowledge or spending time with family, he’s being active. He started running while at university in the UK and became even more involved with the hobby after moving to the United Sates. He soon started to run long distance races, including the 1985 Chicago Marathon, the 1986 San Francisco Marathon, and the 1987 Marine Corp. Marathon, in Washington D.C. He has since competed in 3 other marathons over the years.

Andrew didn’t stop there. He started competing in triathlons in his 30s. Andrew later added long-distance bike rides to his regimen, completing more than 15 100-mile bike races. One of those races included the Hotter ’N Hell Hundred in Wichita falls in August 2019. It’s the largest biking event in North America. In an impressive feat, Andrew turned around and the next month in September 2019, he completed another triathlon.

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Searching for Answers

That same year, Andrew started to experience twitching in his muscles. As an athlete, he just attributed it to his body recovering after intense physical activity. “When you work out, that usually dies down within 45 minutes to an hour,” he noted. However, the twitching would continue for a full day after a workout. He’d ask himself, ‘Ok, I worked out 15 hours ago. Why are things still twitching?’

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The twitching persisted for almost six months. And when it came time for Andrew’s yearly physical check, his doctor became concerned. They sent Andrew to see a neurologist in January 2020 where he underwent EMG testing. Those results were inconclusive.

Andrew continued to do more tests and appointments for months to find answers. All the while, he noticed more unusual changes in his body. “I realized that I didn’t have as much strength as I did before,” Andrew shared. He started to worry even more after his family vacation in August 2020. During this trip, he attempted an open water swim and paddleboarding, both of which he struggled to complete.

He would resume testing after this trip, desperately searching for answers. By this point, his doctor had two conclusions in mind—either neuropathy or ALS. Andrew’s doctor prescribed treatments to rule out neuropathy, but the treatments did not bring any improvements.

A Shocking Diagnosis

Eventually, someone suggested visiting the Mayo Clinic for a secondary diagnosis. Andrew sent them all his test results and scheduled an appointment for late May. That month, Andrew received devastating news. “On Wednesday, May the 26th, they told me I had ALS,” he tearfully shared. The diagnosis was a shock to both Andrew and Melissa.

Before ALS, Andrew was extremely active. “I used to workout 8 – 10 times a week…I used to mix it up, a lot of biking, running, swimming. I did a lot of yoga and HIIT classes, you know, all kinds of different things.” Today, simple tasks are becoming difficult to complete as he loses muscle mass in his upper body and hands. It’s difficult for him to write or cut things with a knife and fork. While he previously could swim a mile, he can hardly make 50 yards without becoming exhausted.

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You know, people used to joke about me and say Andrew, you’re gonna be very lonely in your old age. You know you’re so fit, you know everyone’s gonna die before you. And then all of a sudden it looks like my expiration date is sooner than most people,” Andrew shared.

Despite the grim prognosis, Andrew is grateful that his legs are strong and that he can still speak and maintain his career.

Investing in the ALS Community

Following Andrew’s diagnosis, he and Melissa searched for support and community. Melissa shared how one friend reached out and highly recommended they connect with their local chapter of the ALS Association. At their first visit to the ALS Clinic with Dr. Heitzman, they met Tonya Hitschmann, the Director of Community Programs from ALS Texas. This encounter introduced them to our local programs like caregiver support groups, equipment loans, and educational programming.

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Everybody has been extremely helpful to get us to where we are today to understand the reality, the financial, the things that we’re going to need the caregiving that’s gonna have to go into it, Melissa Szabo.

In the few months since they’ve connected with ALS Texas, the Szabo’s already feel like a part of the community. “We feel very blessed to have been connected into the ALS [Texas] Chapter and just the inclusiveness all the way around,” Melissa shared. They became heavily involved with the 2021 Walk to defeat ALS, even becoming the top fundraising team in Dallas.

Through ALS Texas’ programming, they’ve found connections with folks who understand the struggles they are facing with ALS. “Being able to connect with people that either have ALS, or have been caregivers to ALS is huge,” Andrew exclaimed.

Positivity in the Face of ALS

Andrew and Melissa are moving forward with glowing positivity in the face of a heartless disease. Andrew’s therapist recently told him, ‘For the people that handle ALS the best, I look for, I look for the three F’s—Faith, Family, and Friends.’ He and Melissa have those three things in abundance.

Andrew came to tears as he shared the vast number of people of faith who are praying for him not only in Texas but across the world.  “We have a rich tapestry of friends and family that mean the world to us,” Melissa shared. And their family plans to continue living life as normal as possible, continuing to travel the world together and make memories.

These three pillars have given Andrew strength as he carries on. His life is far from over, and he feels God will use this chapter of his life in a powerful way. He hopes his story will bring more awareness to ALS so that one day, we can find a cure.

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Filed Under: Fundraising, Stories Tagged With: als stories, end of year giving, fundraising

Friendswood High School Senior Inspires Community to Join the Fight to End ALS

November 5, 2021 by Rhema Jones Leave a Comment

After her uncle was diagnosed with ALS, Lily Hall, now a senior at Friendswood High School, took action. What she didn’t realize was that her passion would inspire an entire community to join the fight to end ALS.

Understanding the Impact of ALS

Lily Hall, like many high schoolers in Texas, is a busy student. She finds time for extra-curriculars, such as editing her yearbook and previously being a 3-year captain of the cheer team. Though one thing sets Lily’s high school experience apart from others—her uncle has ALS.

Lily describes the experience of finding out her uncle Craig had this terrible disease. At 10-years-old, she and her older brother would arrive home from school for her mom to break the news. “At that time period, I really didn’t understand what was going on,” she shared.

As his disease progressed, their family dynamic shifted. Lily recalls how they used to spend every holiday with her aunt, uncle, and cousins. However, since her uncle’s diagnosis, it’s been harder for the family to get together. At first, she didn’t understand this change, but over the next several years her perspective shifted.

“I started getting older, and I became more aware of what ALS was and how it affected people.”

When Lily came to a complete understanding of the gravity of ALS, it lit a fire in her. She wanted to learn more about the disease and spread awareness to those around her.

Finding Inspiration for the Cause

After Lily started high school, she was ready to join the fight against ALS. She shared that other family members who were involved in inspired her to pursue her own ideas. Her father frequently raised funds at his job. And her brother supported a Walk to Defeat ALS at his university, Davidson College in North Carolina.

“My freshman year was when I started thinking about it,” Lilly noted. For several years, she brainstormed, and finally last summer, inspiration struck. One day, she attended a cheer practice to help get photos for the football program. The photographer edited a photo, incorporating all facets of the program—the team, cheer squad, band, dance team, trainers, etc.

My wheels started clicking. All those people play an important role in how our football games go. I want to incorporate every person that I possibly could—every sport and club from my high school—to get involved in this ALS project.

That’s when she knew that getting the entire school involved was key to her mission. Lily worked to secure a volunteer representative from each sport and club at her school to join the cause. The last thing she had to do was decide how to bring people together. She’d soon decide to host an Ice Bucket Challenge. “I wanted to do something fun and interactive, something that people would want to get involved with. And I knew an ice bucket challenge would be an exciting way to do it.”

As Lily started planning the event, she connected with another local woman with ALS, Lucia Boone, for support. It was through this friendship that Lily discovered the impact of strong community connections. Lucia’s entire support group, a.k.a. Lucia Love, were a tremendous help, offering volunteers and managing T-shirt sales for the event.

Friendswood Comes Together to End ALS

On October 6, 2021, Lily Hall hosted the FHS vs ALS Ice Bucket Challenge at her high school’s football field. She only expected students to get involved, but that was far from the case. More than 250 students, faculty, family, and community members joined the event. “It turned into something completely amazing that I never would’ve thought could happen,” Lily joyfully shared. “I felt so supported by my community and everyone around me, so loved.”

All in all, Lily only expected the challenge to raise a few thousand dollars. However, the FHS vs ALS Ice Bucket Challenge raised over $30,000 for the ALS Association of Texas. These funds will support crucial local care programs for Texans with ALS and critical research for a cure. “Never in a million years would I have thought I could’ve raised that much money!” she exclaimed.

A Message to Other ALS Youth

Lily wants to do more to support those living with ALS in the future by raising awareness to the disease. “I hope that more people around the world start to realize what it is…and raise the funds for it,” she shared.

When asked what she’d say to other youth who love someone with ALS, she encouraged them to be a helpful hand. “Be there to support that person…do the most that you think you can do.” Lily shared she also wants ALS youth to feel empowered to organize their own fundraising efforts. Whether it’s $5 or $30,000 raised, every penny brings us closer to a world without ALS.

Don’t be afraid…Just go for it and try. You never know what it could turn into… – Lily Hall

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Photos provided by DC Stanley Photography.

Filed Under: Fundraising, Stories Tagged With: als community, fundraising

“Spark Hope For a World Without ALS” – Our 2018 Recap

November 27, 2018 by Jacque Amadi Leave a Comment

In 2018 we set out with the goal to spark hope, ignite action, and inspire others to join us in the fight to create a world without ALS. And it was thanks to our wonderful community that we were able to achieve that goal. Throughout the year we provided patient services, hosted community events, and helped fund life-changing research to find new treatments for this devastating disease.

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Filed Under: Fundraising, Research Tagged With: ALS News, ALS Research, ALS Texas, fundraising, walk to defeat als

Introducing UNLOCK ALS

July 11, 2018 by Elise Bernard 2 Comments

The ALS Association Introduces New Mission Integration Concept at the Walk to Defeat ALS

Each year, hundreds of thousands of people across the country bring their determination, energy, and passion to the Walk to Defeat ALS to celebrate the progress made in the search for a cure with the ALS community. This year, we’ll honor our loved ones who are battling ALS and who have battled ALS through our new program UNLOCK ALS.

We’ll celebrate the real possibility of unlocking the mysteries of ALS. Anyone may hold the key to UNLOCK ALS – a fundraiser raising funds for the cure, a person with ALS participating in a clinical trial, a researcher developing treatments, even you.

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Filed Under: Walk to Defeat ALS Tagged With: als, ALS awareness, ALS Texas, fundraising, pals, Unlock ALS, walk to defeat als, why we walk

New Leadership Model Enhances Mission Focus in Greater Houston Area

June 27, 2018 by Elise Bernard 1 Comment

houston-team
ALS Association Greater Houston team (left to right): Jordan Coldrick, Care Services Coordinator; Paulette Bennett, Care Services Manager; Alexis Hyatt, Database and Operations Coordinator; Jessica Welch, Regional Director; Eniye Elegon, Regional Development Coordinator

In July 2016, the ALS Association of Texas welcomed Jessica Welch as the organization’s first Regional Director on its statewide team. Tasked with leading the full mission of the ALS Association in the Greater Houston and East Texas region, her leadership in this new role has catapulted the Chapter forward in achieving its mission.

Thanks to this new on-the-ground leadership in the region, the team in the Houston office has a greater sense of ownership of their work and a renewed passion for ensuring they successfully meet the needs of those living with ALS in the region. And the results are evident with improved communications and team cohesiveness among the care services, fundraising, and operations functions.

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Filed Under: News Tagged With: als, ALS News, ALS Texas, fundraising, patient services

ALS Texas Implements New Leadership Model to Manage Texas-Sized Growth

May 25, 2018 by Greg Hill Leave a Comment

New Regional Director Joins North Texas Team

north-texas-als
ALS Association North Texas team (left to right): Taylor Brewer, Care Services Coordinator; Christina Flinn, Special Events Coordinator; Janette Steinheimer, Care Services Manager; Catherine Nodurft, Regional Director; Sharon D’Souza, Operations Manager; Elise Bernard, Communications Manager

Since it’s official formation in early 2012, The ALS Association of Texas has seen an exponential increase in the number of Texans with ALS that it is assisting. Along with that growth came the increasing challenge of ensuring that the chapter was best positioned and resourced to provide people in every corner of the state access to ALS clinics, support groups, loaned medical equipment and other resources to live with ALS.

To that end, last year the chapter began developing a staffing structure that went beyond the traditional department-focused organizational chart to something that would provide for on-the-ground leadership in each of its three regions serving ALS patients and their families within Texas.

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Filed Under: News Tagged With: als, ALS News, ALS Texas, fundraising, patient services

3rd Annual Shoot Out ALS Tournament Explodes with Success

April 3, 2018 by Elise Bernard Leave a Comment

harvey-builders-first-place
Harvey Builders win first place in the 2018 Shoot Out ALS tournament.

On Monday, March 26, more than 150 shooters gathered for the 3rd Annual Shoot Out ALS tournament at the Greater Houston Gun Club, raising $127,000 for the fight against ALS. Shooting enthusiasts participated in an afternoon shoot followed by cocktails and dinner, a live auction, and an awards reception.

At the tournament, we recognized ALS Hero JC Creath. Before ALS, JC and his wife Andrea were photographers, always on the go. While busy photographing weddings, families, pets, and babies, the symptoms of ALS began. JC began tripping and falling, and he struggled to catch his breath at times.

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Filed Under: Sporting Clay Shoot Tagged With: als, ALS awareness, clay shoot, contest, fundraising, Greater Houston Gun Club, houston, Lou Gehrig's Disease, pals, shooting, skeet shoot, tournament

Houston Marathon Participants Run for a Reason: To Fight ALS

January 16, 2018 by Elise Bernard 4 Comments

On Sunday, January 14, 35 runners participated in the Chevron Houston Marathon Run for a Reason Program in support of the ALS Association of Texas. The Run for a Reason program “connects the philanthropic community to passionate race participants willing to fundraise and raise awareness for meaningful causes,” according to the Marathon website. This is the eighth year that the ALS Association of Texas has been chosen as an official Charity of Choice.

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Filed Under: Houston Marathon Tagged With: als, ALS awareness, als stories, ALS Texas, chevron marathon, fundraising, houston, houston marathon, Lou Gehrig's Disease, marathon

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