Over 175 walkers completed a 3-mile trek Saturday in the ManitoWALK VS ALS.
The three mile walk to raise funds to help find a cure for Lou Gehrig’s Disease or Amyotrophic Lateral, was again organized by Tina Kocourek, with the theme was “Together We Can Find a Cure” .
Kocourek has a deep connection to the cause, as she lost her mother to the disease two years ago in March. “We have raise already over $170,000 is six years,” Tina told us. “Our goal this year is $40,000 and as of this morning, before we even started, we were at 52% of our goal.”
Walkers left from and returned to the Time Out Sports Bar and Grill in a fundraiser inspired by Bernette Seiler. Tina says “I think she is pretty happy that I kept doing it every year, and now more families have been involved and are getting in touch with me. It’s great because it creates awareness and we all get to stick together and help each other throughout everything.”
Tina’s father, Irv Seiler, was asked by SeehaferNews.com if the support from this walk gives him hope, to which he said “Yes it does…It’s really a good cause to try to help people out, and make it a little more comfortable for them.”
Jay Fessler of Two Rivers said his wife, Tina, was diagnosed with ALS two years ago, and died in July. “My wife was a veteran as well,” he explained. “The VA was fabulous….Events like this help raise awareness for how devastating this disease is.”
Fessler says her battle with ALS and her ultimate death was “all the motivation he needed” to participate in the walk. Jay and his team of walkers wore t-shirts and had caps with the wording “Tina Our Guardian Angel” on the front and, “Cool City Crew” on the back.
Tina Kocourek said she plans to continue with this ManitoWALK VS ALS in future years as a Cure remains elusive.
