October 2019, my dad Sam St. John was diagnosed with ALS Bulbar. This is my first time announcing this on social media my father's illness honesty because it's hard and it's sad to see someone you love so much go through something so hard.

Commonly ALS starts in your hands and feet, but ALS Bulbar starts in the throat; affecting swallow and tongue function.

Just imagine waking up one day not being able to whistle, then a couple months later your speech is impaired so when you talk it sounds like you have a cotton ball in your mouth, and a couple month later you lost the ability to chew such that you cannot eat any solid foods.

Famous people that had ALS include Lou Gehrig's and Stephen Hawking.

Don't know what ALS is, watch this link to learn more: https://youtu.be/sq2YaX0f78g

This April I am virtually walking for my dad to Defeat ALS.  The Walk to Defeat ALS raises funds to find a cure, support those affected by ALS and to spread awareness of the urgency to find treatments.

6,000 people are diagnosed with ALS each year and nearly 20,000 Americans are living with ALS today. Military veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS. These are more than statistics to me, because they affect someone I love. 

Please support me as I Virtually Walk to Defeat ALS. Every donation made to my campaign will support programs that:

1. Offer transportation to people living with ALS to get to medical appointments.

2. Loan equipment, such as wheelchairs, to people living with ALS.

3. Pay for alternative communication devices for people living with ALS who are no longer able to speak.

4. Offer support groups for people living with ALS and their caregivers.

5. Fund research into slowing the progression of ALS, because with every scientific advance, we get closer to the cure.

Please consider Donating! Thank you for helping me reach my Virtual Walk to Defeat ALS® fundraising goal!