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Winning for Winston Benefit


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Mona Winston

 


When Minnesota resident Michael Winston (pictured at left with parents, Mona and Jeff) was diagnosed with ALS at the young age of 24, friends and family were stunned that such a young person could be affected by such a tragic, terminal disease. While this dreadful disease typically affects people over the age of forty, recently increasing numbers of young people are being diagnosed. From diagnosis to death, life expectancy is typically two to five years!

This progressive, terminal disease claims new victims in the thousands yearly. Patients diagnosed typically suffer gradual and devastating weakness and eventual total paralysis of the body while the brain itself continues to function normally. Hopelessly trapped in a body that cannot function, victims suffer great physical and emotional trauma.

Michael was diagnosed on October 1st, 2008. As this disease progresses and symptoms continue to weaken his entire body, Michael remains committed to bringing awareness to ALS through fundraising for the premiere organization solely dedicated to research and a cure, ALS TDI. Michael’s strength and courage inspired friends and family to create Winning for Winston (W4W), a fundraising group dedicated to raising funds for ALS.  Michael also serves as an Ambassador to Young Faces of ALS, a branch of ALS TDI.  YFALS is a community and forum created for young people diagnosed with ALS.

      “What I've learned from this disease is we have so little time -- time is so precious
      and how we spend it is remarkable, and the fact that Mike has spent some of it doing
      something to make a difference is extraordinary." 


                         -- Rob Goldstein, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at ALS-TDI
                           
 Excerpt from ALS and Living: Mike Winston’s Story, by Talya Minsberg


While ALS TDI has announced much progress in developing a promising drug to help fight and arrest the development of ALS, they continue to need funds to bring these new developments to patients and their loved ones so desperately hoping for a cure. 

      “You can do something for every disease – donate food, give blood, etcetera, but with
      this there is nothing you can do, and that is simply unacceptable.  In the world today
      there’s gotta be something.  Donating money is number one in importance…I’m asking
      for money to save people’s lives and not even save their lives, but at least give them a
      chance. I wish there was a surgery that would give me one in a million chance, but I
      don’t even have a hope.”


                         -- Michael Winston
                            Excerpt from ALS and Living: Mike Winston’s Story, by Talya Minsberg

Please join us and be part of a wonderful possibility that together we can make a difference and bring hope to Michael, his family, and the thousands diagnosed yearly.

In Michael's Words...

October 1, 2008, Mayo Clinic - 

"After many tests the doctor said, 'With these results, I would say you have Lou Gehrig's disease but you are too young for that.'  He sent me to Mayo Clinic.

He came into the room...We got the news we dreaded.  I have ALS.  What happens next is the difference between ALS and any other disease.   When a doctor diagnoses a person with cancer, diabetes, heart disease or whatever, the next part of the conversation is 'What do we do about it?' whether it be surgery, chemotherapy or medication.

When a person is diagnosed with ALS, the only thing a doctor can say is 'I'm sorry'." 

-
Michael Winston, Age 25, Winning for Winston Fundraiser, October 2009

                            More Winning for Winston Information

Winning for Winston was built from a community personally affected by ALS.  The organization provides an opportunity for everyone to support ALS TDI, a research-based organization.  As a team of dedicated and caring individuals, we are committed to discovering a cure.   Join the movement . . .be part of the team.

First Pitch

Mike was invited by ALSA Minnesota to throw the first pitch at the Twins vs. Tigers game on May 4, 2010!  What an exciting and memorable evening for Mike, his parents, Jeff and Mona, and all of Mike's friends and family in the stadium cheering him on.  Among the highlights, Mike enjoyed a few special moments with Minnesota Twins Coach Gardenhire and Detroit Tigers Coach Leyland.  Check out the photo album below. 

Join Our Team

Since 2009, our fundraisers have raised much needed funds for ALS research.  However, our work is not done.  ALS TDI is privately funded largely by families and friends of ALS patients working on a grassroots level in their communities.  While ALS TDI has announced much progress in developing a promising drug to help fight and arrest the development of ALS, they continue to need funds to bring these new developments to patients and their loved ones so desperately hoping for a cure.  Please consider supporting Winning for Winston in their fight against ALS.

Links

Check out our W4W Links for articles, videos, newsclips and photos!  Read the Huffington Post Article, ALS and Living: Mike Winston's Story, by Talya Minsberg, dated April 11, 2011.  Links are located on the ride side of this webpage.
 

                      
                                         Thank you for your support!
 


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