June 2021
Summer is in full swing here in Atlanta! Yes, a little pun for you since we just experienced the first Lou Gehrig Day at Major League Baseball parks across the country. Emory ALS Center and many of our patients and families were at the Atlanta Braves game. You will want to view the video here in the newsletter. 

We’ve had some questions about the Covid-19 Vaccine and people living with ALS so have included information for you. 

We introduce you to Brian Duffy who is taking on a big challenge this fall while raising funds for our center along the way; make sure you read Brian’s story and choose a square/mile to help him (you have to read on to understand!).

The 15th annual Fiesta 5k Challenge was a huge success despite terrible weather conditions on race day. Thank you to everyone who braved the rain and joined us, and also to those of you who participated virtually and donated. 

Though our ALS clinics continue to be via telemedicine, rest assured your Emory ALS Center team has not slowed down one bit in giving our patients and families the best care and working hard on research to find better treatments for PALS. You can keep up with ALS research trials and studies on our website.  

Lou Gehrig Day and
the Emory ALS Clinic
June 2, 2021 was Major League Baseball's inaugural #LouGehrigDay, named for one of baseball's all-time great players who died of ALS at 37 years old. 

A lot of the families from the Emory ALS Center went to the Atlanta Braves game, along with clinic founder, Dr. Jonathan Glass. 

Like the Ice Bucket Challenge, MLB bringing awareness to this disease gets us that much closer to treatments that will save lives. 

We are grateful America's Pastime has stepped to the plate in the fight against ALS.
140.6 Miles to Cure ALS - funds benefiting Emory ALS Center

After watching a broadcast of the 2005 Ironman World Championship Brian Duffy, then a 12 year old triathlete, was motivated to help raise awareness and money to find a cure for ALS. Brian saw Jon Blais finish the grueling endurance event just months after being diagnosed with ALS. Brian had the idea to host a community road race. That is how the annual Fiesta 5k Challenge, benefiting Emory ALS Center, began 15 years ago.

On November 6, 2021 Brian will be competing in his first full Ironman. "This has been a dream of mine and the motivation behind all of my training ever since I was 7 years old. Another dream of mine is to raise awareness for ALS. On the day of my race, I will be racing a total of 140.6 miles. I am asking for a donation for each mile I swim, bike and run. All money raised will go to The Emory ALS Center."



****When you make your donation, make sure to check “DIRECT MY GIFT TO” and use the dropdown menu to choose EMORY ALS CENTER****"

$46,000 raised in
15th annual event!

Neither heavy rain nor cool temperatures could keep runners and walkers away from the 15th annual Fiesta 5k Challenge. Even though the weather was terrible, people showed up to support the Emory ALS Center and people living with ALS. We are grateful for your sponsorships, participation, donations, team fundraising, and your never-ending quest to end this disease. Photos from the race can be found HERE.

Mark your calendar for April 30, 2022 for the 16th annual race.



THANK YOU!