SPF - 2006 TeamWalk Connections

2006 TeamWalk Connections

A special time (Connection) to meet others concerned with HSP or PLS, share stories, learn, have fun and walk, roll or stroll together in a walkathon (TeamWalk) to bring us one step closer to our cure!

In 2006, we held TeamWalk Connections in ten states. Read the summaries and see photos here:

CA FL GA MA MD NC OH OK OR TN

California - Pleasanton, September 16, organized by Linda Gentner

The TeamWalk Connection was held at the Valley Community Church

Note from Linda: The CA TW was a success with absolutely the most perfect weather. Friday evening, a few of us met for dinner at the Hilton Hotel where our out-of-town guests were staying. People at dinner were Ken & Julie Auer, a couple who are friends of the Auers, Jean Chambers and Joanne Reyerse from Canada and Craig & Linda Gentner. Larry & Brenda Asbury had a motor home mishap so they missed dinner.

Bright and early on Saturday morning, about 30 people showed up to participate in the Race for a Cure that our church was sponsoring. Many volunteers were registering runners, others were at the water stations along the race route and others were timing the runners on their return. They even had police escorts. I was at the front to yell “go” and the church bells rang, and the runners were off and running a 10K race. It was repeated15 minutes later for 5K people to start their walk/run.

Around 10:00 a.m., the SPF community, along with family and friends began to gather. We were about 55 people strong. We were greeted with pastries again this year donated by Sunrise Bakery, juice and coffee to ready us for our arduous walk. Brocchini Farms donated Apple Bites which were a big hit especially with the health-conscious runners.

After registration and socializing we headed out on our walk or stroll or roll… Linda led the way this year in her Jazzy power chair. Kris Brocchini was treated to ride in a golf cart. We casually took in the quaint shops and Farmer’s Market in downtown Pleasanton. It’s nearing election time so the Mayor of Pleasanton was out and she wanted to know what we were all about. She was interested in who all these people were in their brightly-colored spiffy TeamWalk shirts walking down “her” sidewalks.

On our return, we had a very nice catered lunch waiting for us, gourmet sandwiches and even miniature veggies flown in from Ohio — quite a treat!

After lunch Dr. Cathy Lomen-Hoerth, Director of the ALS Center at UCSF spoke. She stressed how important it is for us to participate in research studies. She also praised SPF and said how our research grants are very sought after. Dr. Cathy is my neurologist and I have participated in several studies. The Clinic Nurse, Dallas Forshew, was also in attendance.

We held our raffle. I had many people shoving money at me and I kept putting it in my bag. When I counted, just the cash, there was $823 for the raffle. We had many happy winners. We had one very happy person taking the money!

‘til next year,
Linda Gentner

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