OUR STORY

Behind the Scenes

Run Against ALS was founded by Ian Wendel, Mike Petrucelli, Luke Wikander, and Adam Gilbert who were all graduates from Sparta High School’s (NJ) class of 2000. They came together after one of their high school friends was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). After hearing the devastating news, they decided to do everything in their power to give their friend, Brian, and others like him, a fighting chance against this terminal disease. 

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Our Mission is to provide relief, serve, and empower individuals affected by ALS to positively impact their quality of life by creating public awareness of the disease and fundraising. We aim to raise funds to support those stricken by the disease, organizations that provide equipment and other essential items for those with ALS, and institutions that are conducting essential ALS research.

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ALS is a degenerative disorder that causes the death of neurons that control voluntary muscles, leading to paralysis of the entire body and eventually respiratory failure. Although symptoms most commonly develop between the ages of 55 and 75, the disease can strike at any age and men are slightly more likely than women to develop ALS. Sadly, there is no cure and no effective treatments. Life expectancy is only two to five years. However, about 10 percent of people with ALS survive for 10 or more years.

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There is no cure for ALS. Critical research is needed to find treatments that extend individuals' lives with this disease. The life expectancy for individuals diagnosed with ALS is on average 2 to 5 years. Also, there is significant cost associated with this disease. One study found that the total disease duration cost of having ALS was $1.4 million.

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