$179,815 / $175,000
Welcome to my team page!
On Sunday, November 3, I'm proud to be running as part of Team ALS TDI for the upcoming TCS New York City Marathon. I will be running 26.2 miles on behalf of the The ALS Therapy Development Institute, an Official Charity Partner.
I’ll be running in memory of my dad who passed away from this terrible disease on July 12, 2017 at the age of 66 and less than six months after his initial diagnosis.
Dad was a mentor to many, known for his patience, supportive style, and the way he brought people together. He was a man of character who was appreciated for his kindness, quick wit, and sense of humor. Dad had a strong work ethic. He cherished everything he was given and looked for every opportunity.
Dad somehow kept his positive attitude through it all. He was always cracking jokes about things like the high fat diet he could be on as a result of having ALS, our (unsuccessful) attempts to build ramps and use assistive devices, and unusual gifts like toilets (you’ll have to ask me about that one).
Dad was a very supportive father of his children's many activities and encouraged us to follow our dreams and be even better than the best we thought we could be. He was always there to offer guidance and make the impossible seem possible. For those of you that know me, I attribute my passion for continuous improvement because of my dad. This picture was taken after running my fastest half marathon in a local race that my parents always came to support.
That was the last of my races he was able to participate in.
His life was cut short because there is no cure for ALS. He never got to meet his first grandson, or see his kids get married, or travel the world. He won’t get to continue his landscaping, gardening or bird-watching, or see the outcome of all the work he put into my own garden.
My dad isn’t the only person in my life to be impacted by this disease. Bob Brooks, father of my long-time friend Maggie Brooks, also lost his life to ALS. Bob was diagnosed with ALS in 2013. At the time of his diagnosis he was in otherwise perfect health, still playing softball in his local league. He had bulbar onset ALS, so he first lost his ability to speak, eat, and breathe on his own, followed by total loss of mobility. He died in 2015 at the age of 63.
This picture is of Maggie and her dad (wearing the device he used to amplify his voice) in 2014.
When his diagnosis was confirmed, Bob immediately began trying to get involved in clinical trials for ALS. He knew these were likely to be uncomfortable and even painful, and that we were too early for there to be any real hope of these trials helping him, but he was committed to doing anything he could to help scientists understand this terrible disease. He even offered to relocate so he could live near the University of Michigan in order to be eligible for a particularly intense trial. Unfortunately his condition deteriorated too rapidly to be accepted into any clinical trials.
Bob had a strong work ethic and was passionately committed to giving back to his community. He was a beloved presence at the community bank where he worked for nearly 40 years. And above all, Bob was devoted to his family. He had an understated, patient, loving presence. His unconditional love and acceptance were a gift. And his honest, kind, and giving nature made everyone around him better.
Progress is being made, and more funding is needed to advance effective treatments for ALS. Your donation fuels the continuous efforts of the ALS Therapy Development Institute to advance promising drugs and help END ALS.
This will be my first marathon and an opportunity to fulfill a dream of my own – and to do it for a great cause. The Wentz and Brooks families are grateful for any donations to help fight ALS, and to share this important message with others.
Thank You!