My son Jack will never know his grandfather

Because ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) took him from us 2 months before Jack was born.

Dad had always been vibrant and active, but really started slowing down about a year or so before he died. Being in his 70s, he just chalked it up to "old age and dry rot", but after a few months, it became obvious that something else was afoot. He had various doctor's appointments in an effort to diagnose what was wrong, but nothing really nailed it down; osteoporosis, compression fractures of the vertebrae due to the OP, urinary tract infection, etc... Each time, treatment was applied but no real improvement came out of them. Finally, his GP suggested visiting a neurologist. Mom and Dad, met with him in his office and described everything that had been ailing him the previous year or so, what the various other doctors had diagnosed, and the treatments he received. The whole time, he was observing Dad; asking specific questions when appropriate, cataloging the answers, but most of all: watching. When he was done with the interview, he told Dad he had already narrowed it down to one of two things: a brain tumor or ALS. Dad went for the tests and we all waited for the results. That Saturday, Dad went to sleep and never woke up. Mom got a call from the doctor's office later in the week and they confirmed the diagnosis of ALS.

Watching Dad go from being this guy in his early 70s who still mowed his own lawn, did most of his own home repairs and worked a part-time job at an assisted living facility where some of the tenants were younger than he was to being a stooped, shuffling old man who needed a walker to get from the living room to the kitchen was heartbreaking. I don't think anyone should have to go through that or watch a loved one go through it.

This is why on November 7, I will be participating in The ALS Association’s Tour de Vie. I am dedicated to raising funds to help the Association accelerate the discovery of a cure for this catastrophic disease, and to provide programs and services that are so desperately needed by ALS patients and their families.

To do this, I need your support. I am asking you to help by making a gift to The ALS Association. It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause by making your tax-deductible donation online using the link below. Simply click on the link below to visit my personal fundraising page and donate directly online.

http://web.alsa.org/goto/John_Markowitz

You may also choose to send your contribution in the form of a check. Please make all checks payable to The ALS Association Florida Chapter and send them to The ALS Association at the following address:

The ALS Association Florida Chapter
ATTN: Tour de Vie
3242 Parkside Center Circle
Tampa, FL 33619

Thank you so much for reading this and for your support.