"It's grown tremendously:" More than 5,000 walkers flock to Greenfield Park to defeat ALS



WEST ALLIS -- More than 5,000 strong, walk to defeat ALS. The Milwaukee Chapter of the ALS Association held its largest fundraising event of the year at Greenfield Park on Sunday, October 11th.

Walk to Defeat ALS



From only a few feet away, you can hardly see Greg Heinen. Greg is the guy handing out the good stuff: thousands of bottles of water for all the walkers at the annual Walk to Defeat ALS.

"ALS has a tendency to be a very isolating disease and for one day, we want patients and their families to know they are not alone. And when you look around you can see this," said Melanie Bekos, Executive Director of Wisconsin ALS Chapter.

Each group of walkers is a passionate support group for someone with ALS.



Walk to Defeat ALS



"ALS is the nastiest thing you've ever heard of. It sucks," said Marissa Otterstatter, Ixonia resident.

And their numbers are growing.

"As long as I've been coming here it's grown tremendously. It seems to have gotten even bigger this year, so great," said Michael Sherman, Menomonee Falls resident.

"The ice has melted and we still need the support of everyone out there. We can do this. We live in a world where we can find the answers to this," said Bekos.

Every year a cure isn't found, families feel the loss.

"Mark Carr -- 'Team Carr 88' lost his battle last Wednesday. They have a team of a couple hundred people," said Bekos.

Team Mark Carr



They all walk alongside the other teams, ready to fight for one another.

The Milwaukee ALS Chapter has nearly reached its fundraising goal of $450,000. If you would like to help the cause, CLICK HERE.