Stogner Strong: Walk to Defeat ALS
ABC11 Together highlights the strength of human spirit, good deeds, community needs, and how our viewers can help
Join ABC11 in the Walk to Defeat ALS on Saturday, April 23 at 10 a.m. in Downtown Raleigh's Halifax mall. Registration is closed, but you can still donate to the ALS Association and the Stogner Strong team, as we walk in honor of veteran anchor Larry Stogner.
ABC11 was there last year as Larry and the team took strides to defeat ALS.
The Triangle Walk to Defeat ALS in downtown Raleigh was one of the largest turnouts ever.
"I was thinking maybe 1,000, but it's upwards of 5, 6,000. I'm really touched by this," Stogner said.
Larry has been leading the fight at home, helping raise money for the neurodegenerative disorder since he was diagnosed in 2015.
Here's a look at last year's event.
The ABC11 Stogner Strong team will walk Saturday with others still fighting the disease and for those who have lost the battle.
"He's been open with his disease and sharing that journey with everyone. We can't thank him enough for that because it has brought more awareness to what we're doing," said ALS Association Jim 'Catfish' Hunter Chapter President Jerry Dawson.
In 2013, the Ice Bucket Challenge broke fundraising records for ALS.
The social media craze that swept the nation funneled more than $115 million into new research.
"It was a wonderful thing. It gave us a big boost at the time, but it didn't happen again. It was sort of like the lightning in the bottle moment," said Dawson.
The Jim 'Catfish' Hunter Chapter is on a mission to keep the momentum moving until scientists find a cure.
"ALS is a very expensive disease, so we have grants that support families to pay for things that aren't covered by insurance like building ramps or making homes accessible and paying for prescription drugs," said Dawson. "The disease is still here. People living with the disease still need our help."
