ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease) gradually paralyzes its victims, robbing them of the use of their arms, legs, voice and eventually their lungs. ALS typically takes the lives of victims within a few years of diagnosis. ALS is not as rare as most people think. There are a hundred new cases in Minnesota alone each year, and just as many fatalities. Sadly there is no treatment and no cure . . . as of yet, anyway.
The Blackwoods Blizzard Tour started in 2000 and has become an annual event raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund research toward a cure for ALS. My uncle Wes was diagnosed with 1998 and passed away from the disease in 2003. Our family has been consistently involved in this fund raiser since its early days and it has been amazing to watch it grow into what it is today.
<O
</O![Stick out tongue :p :p](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
The ride itself is a 3 day ride starting in Proctor MN. There are several large sponsors that support with fuel, oil, lodging, food, gear transportation, and mechanical support (spare sleds and parts in case of a break down). I personally have been able to go on this ride once and it was a blast. In order to participate in this ride, the riders must raise a predetermined amount. Thanks to the internet, we can create a webpage for each rider that can accept donations toward the ALS foundation on behalf of that rider.
<O
</O![Stick out tongue :p :p](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
For this year, my dad (Dan) and my uncle (Mike), Wes’ brothers, are riding and have pages setup allowing individuals to donate on their behalf. Below are links to their pages:
<O
</O![Stick out tongue :p :p](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
<O
Dan - http://webmn.alsa.org/site/TR/Rides/Minnesota?px=3383783&pg=personal&fr_id=8590
</O![Stick out tongue :p :p](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Mike - http://webmn.alsa.org/site/TR/Rides/Minnesota?px=2888977&pg=personal&fr_id=8590
<O
</O![Stick out tongue :p :p](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
If anyone would like to donate that would be great, it can be any amount and be anonymous if you so choose. If not that is OK too. I just wanted to create a thread about this topic to make others aware of a group ride that’s for a worthy cause. Thanks for reading! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
<O
</O![Stick out tongue :p :p](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
-Tom
<O
</O![Stick out tongue :p :p](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Link to Blizzard Tour's homepage: http://webmn.alsa.org/site/TR/Rides/Minnesota?fr_id=8590&pg=entry
The Blackwoods Blizzard Tour started in 2000 and has become an annual event raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund research toward a cure for ALS. My uncle Wes was diagnosed with 1998 and passed away from the disease in 2003. Our family has been consistently involved in this fund raiser since its early days and it has been amazing to watch it grow into what it is today.
<O
The ride itself is a 3 day ride starting in Proctor MN. There are several large sponsors that support with fuel, oil, lodging, food, gear transportation, and mechanical support (spare sleds and parts in case of a break down). I personally have been able to go on this ride once and it was a blast. In order to participate in this ride, the riders must raise a predetermined amount. Thanks to the internet, we can create a webpage for each rider that can accept donations toward the ALS foundation on behalf of that rider.
<O
For this year, my dad (Dan) and my uncle (Mike), Wes’ brothers, are riding and have pages setup allowing individuals to donate on their behalf. Below are links to their pages:
<O
<O
</O
Mike - http://webmn.alsa.org/site/TR/Rides/Minnesota?px=2888977&pg=personal&fr_id=8590
<O
If anyone would like to donate that would be great, it can be any amount and be anonymous if you so choose. If not that is OK too. I just wanted to create a thread about this topic to make others aware of a group ride that’s for a worthy cause. Thanks for reading! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
<O
-Tom
<O
Link to Blizzard Tour's homepage: http://webmn.alsa.org/site/TR/Rides/Minnesota?fr_id=8590&pg=entry