TAMIU is already gearing up for the now 10th Annual Walk to Defeat ALS to take place Saturday, November 7.
This will be the third time the event is held on TAMIU grounds, and is the second time it’s being organized by TAMIU English and Literature professor Dr. Paul Niemeyer, who has personal stock in the matter, losing his mother to ALS in 2003.
“First thing my mom lost was the ability to talk and eat… it’s always a death sentence. We don’t know what causes it. Research dollars are few and far between. It’s a devastating disease.” says Niemeyer.
ALS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, may be more commonly known by its alias Lou Gehrig’s Disease. No matter how you choose to acknowledge ALS, every 90 minutes a life is taken by it and, according to the ALS Association, every 90 minutes another person will be diagnosed with the disease.
There is no known cause or cure for ALS, as it remains one of the least-researched, under-funded diseases in America. TAMIU students, faculty, alumni, and staff are urged to come out and make a difference come November morning.
All proceeds from the walk will remain in south Texas and go to spreading awareness, funding treatment, and finding a cure. Niemeyer has expressed last minute sign-ups are welcome. Sign-up starts at 10am and the walk begins at 11am. Walkers are asked to complete three circles around the TAMIU campus.
If walking three laps seems implausible, consider making a donation instead. Student Government has placed buckets around campus to collect monetary donations for ALS. Again, no donation is too small.
For more information, contact Dr. Niemeyer at pniemeyer@tamiu.edu or visit the TEAM TAMIU website at http://web.alsa.org/goto/team.tamiu