Hello all,

The day is coming for the 3rd annual MN ALS Bike Trek. The bike trek is a fund raising/awareness ride for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. For those of you unknown of these disease you can find out more information here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amyotrophic_lateral_sclerosis  Basically researchers haven’t found a reason why people come down with the disease. Only in a small percentage of patients have they been able to link to family history. As of now, after many years and many patients dying form the disease, there is only one drug that may help slow down the disease. Not good news with anyone living with this disease. The average patients life after diagnoses is 3-5 years.

My good friend Judy Stafne, her son has been living with this disease for about eight years now. I have a first hand knowledge on how this disease affects the patient and there family members. Let me tell you, this disease is one of the worst things I can imagine anyone having to go through (patients or family member). I will spare the details, I’m sure most of you can imagine how hard this is for here and her son (who’s younger than me). Please keep in mind there are many family’s having to go through what Judy is going through. This is why I ask you today to help me raise money to help fight this horrible disease.

All proceeds are going to ALS TDI  http://www.als.net/,  the only nonprofit biotechnology organization dedicated to developing effective treatments for ALS. For the last three years I’ve worked with my friend Justin who’s father passed away a few years back from ALS, along with the people at ALS TDI to help organize the MN ALS Bike Trek. Last year we were able to get the MDA on board to help make this ride even better. All people from ALS TDI and the MDA have been wonderful to work with and passionate about finding a effective treatment. They’re dedicated to making this and all other fund raising events successful.

If you’re interested in donating you can do so here http://alsmn.als.net/Fundraising-And-Donations.aspx   You can support me if you want, either way if you do or don’t, donating is the most important. Or come on out and ride!

Also, if you can, pass this email along to any friends or family members.

Thank you,

Joe