ALS 5K/Walk for Hope

Our involvement with ALS came about because of our diagnosis of the disease.  Both of us live in Damiansville, Illinois.

Helen was diagnosed with ALS in January of 2009, shortly after her retirement from Scott AFB.  She is 67 and married to Francis Billhartz. She is the mother of 3 children and 4 grandchildren.  So far, the disease is affecting her ability to speak and swallow.  She enjoys her retirement, spending time with her family.

Mike is 44 and married to Michelle and a father to two boys, age 18 and 9. He worked as an automotive body technician for 23 years. He always enjoyed working with his hands and being outdoors whether it is fishing or hunting or playing with my children.  He was diagnosed in January, 2010.  By April 2010 the loss of strength in his hands and legs made it too difficult to continue working. 

For the time being, we are both thankful we are able to do most of the things we enjoy but with difficulty. This will not always be the case as the disease progresses.  We face a scary future, and so want do what we can to help ALS TDI, an organization that is working to find treatments and hopefully a cure for this terrible disease.

Please consider registering for our 5K/Walk or donating on the right hand side!

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