TeamWalk Lead Sponsor: Brocchini Farms, California

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

North Carolina - Raleigh, November 4, organized by Sarah Witt

The Connection and TeamWalk were held at NC State University's Centennial Campus - Sarah also organized the Magnificent Mile race for athletic runners as part of the event

Note from Sarah:  The morning of November 4th dawned clear, crisp, and cold and stayed that way as set-up got rolling for Raleigh’s first annual Magnificent Mile Races and TeamWalk. Volunteers began gathering in force around 8:00 am and by 9:00 am the plaza at NC State’s Centennial Campus was hopping. The 402 registered participants, who ranged in age from 2 to 60-something, were picking up their packets, enjoying delicious goodies from Great Harvest Bread and Bruegger’s Bagels, and trying to stay warm.

At 10 o’clock sharp, the thermometer jumped to 38 degrees Fahrenheit and the 95 competitive milers headed down the hill of a very fast course. At 10:04, Russell Slade broke the tape with a time of 4:16. He was followed in quick succession by Trevor Lewis of Raleigh (4:34) and Bryan Brander of Durham (4:36). Shortly after, my good friend Heather Davis came flying across the line, handily winning the top female spot with a time of 5:09. She was followed by two speedy youngsters: 16-year-old Rachel Park of Cary who clocked a 5:20 and 18-year-old Alayna Levie of Charlotte who finished in a zippy 5:26.

As the last miler came across the line, preparations started for the non-competitive mile and TeamWalk. The gang of 257 runners, joggers, walkers, and “rollers” embarked on an out-and-back mile course at 10:30 am. Within this group were several representatives of SPF: Jim and Thurza Campbell and extended family; Cece Russell and her daughter Jessie; Don, Bettie Jo, and Matthew Wilson and their gang; Judith West and husband John Skau; Dana Brower; and the Corsmeier crew, which included mom Linda, son Scott, and daughter Amy Petrucci. For the record, Cece took the SPF speed-demon award as she finished her mile in a flat 16:00.

The kids races were enjoyed by every one of the 40 children who registered. The first was a 400-meter sprint for those between the ages of 6 and 10; this was won by 9-year-old Rachel Adamkowski of Raleigh. Mister Trey Knox, a 4-year-old Raleigh resident, was the first to come zooming across the line in the second race, a 100-meter-dash for those 6 years old and under.

After the races were run, all parties reconvened on the plaza to watch the awards ceremony and to listen to a moving speech given by Dr. Richard Bedlack, head of the Duke ALS Clinic. Dr. Bedlack, who participated in the non-competitive mile, talked about the history of motor neuron disease, the research strides that have been made in the last 10 years, and the importance of events like this one to raise awarenes as well as funds for research. And raise funds we did thanks to the generosity of 23 corporate sponsors (platinum sponsors were The Athlete’s Foot, Ascolese Enterprise, Inc. Lenovo, Love2Run Coaching, North Raleigh United Church, and Second Look Pressure Cleaning), the hard work of our SPF folk, and numerous individual donors. A few checks yet to be counted and race proceeds still to be calculated, but right now we are at $22,500 raised.

The Magnificent Mile races and TeamWalk were the culmination of six months of effort on the part of a wonderful group of committed individuals. The committee was headed by NCRC president and my dear friend Mike Walsh and staffed by Elizabeth Aiken, Lou Ann Bakolia, Ben Dillon, Carla Dolder-Mayer, George Farthing, Aimee Foskie, Karen Hess, Margaret Newbold, Dave Rouse, Mike Waldvogel, and Elizabeth Watson. In addition, siblings Amy Petrucci and Scott Corsmeier, both of whom have HSP, were key to the success of the event. Both worked tirelessly as fund-raisers and cheerleaders. Stay tuned for next year!

SPF TeamWalkers, family and friends

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Dana, Sarah, Thurza and family

 

Magnificent Mile participants

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A beautiful day for a TeamWalk

Ohio - Toledo, September 9; organized by Moira Franchetti

The Connection and TeamWalk were held at the Wildwood Metropark

Note from Moira:  The TeamWalk Connection went really well! We had 15 people at our Friday Arrival Dinner and twenty at our TeamWalk the next day.

A warm evening in early September of 2006 saw a unique gathering of individuals converging on Bravo Cucina Italian in Toledo, OH.  In attendance at our HSP 2006 Arrival Dinner were:  Moira Franchetti and her husband Michael and children Brynn and Timothy, Kinda and Brad Mcbride with their children Anna and Ian, Jerry Whipple and Charlene, Dusty Rothman and her son Peter, Tim and Matt Kolhoff, as well as Karen Johnson from our SPF Board of Directors!  We all enjoyed an evening of great Italian fare and all the stories of sharing.

The following day we were joined at Wildwood Metropark by Trudy and Caitlin Desmond, Tim’s wife and son and daughter, Christine Paet and a friend, and another Kolhoff brother.  We all enjoyed a social hour or so with bagels and fruit courtesy of Meijer , water and Tim Horton’s coffee.  After socializing a bit we set out on our Walk along Wildwood’s multipurpose trail, a nice smooth walk for us ‘funny walkers’! 

All in all I hope I can say that truly, “a good time was had by all!

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Some participants in the Ohio TeamWalk

Oklahoma - Norman, September 16, organized by Mark Dvorak (at right)

The Connection and TeamWalk were held at Andrews Park

Note from Marleen Doolen, attendee
The SPF 2006 Oklahoma TeamWalk was held Saturday, September 16 in Norman, Oklahoma with 25 attending the event. In its second year, Mark Dvorak did an excellent job in planning and hosting the event. A delicious meal at Johnny Corinos Italian Restaurant was the meeting place Friday evening to begin the weekend. Saturday morning 25 participants gathered at Andrews Park for the TeamWalk with the majority participating in the walk. Freedomtown Scooter Company generously donated some electric scooters to be used for the walk. When the walk was completed, a delicious lunch, prepared by Abby Road Catering , was delivered to us at the park. The lunch was donated by one of Mark’s neighbors, the Browns, and it was great. Our guest speaker, Mike Bumgarner, closed the TeamWalk with interaction in the group asking questions about what we were concerned about dealing with HSP or PLS. Saturday evening dinner and visiting was enjoyed at Santa Fe Cattle Co. and then the Holiday Inn reception area.

Note from Mike Church, attendee
We really enjoyed the walk. It was my first time meeting and visiting with others who are dealing with HSP. We will be back again next year.

Note from Mark Dvorak, TeamWalk Connection Chairman
I am so pleased I was able to get together with old acquaintances and to make new ones also. Although it was windy and warm we all had a great time. The kids really enjoyed the fans and squirt bottle fans that Betsy sent us. There were 25 people that attended and they came from Missouri, Texas, and Oklahoma. I am very thankful for all of the goodwill that was spread. The weekend was great and I hope to do it again next year. Thanks to everyone that helped raise funds for medical research!

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Oklahoma TeamWalk Connection group

 

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