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- Becky Mourey (center) and husband Jim lead the way up Pleasant Street along with ALS One executive director Jen DiMartino (left). PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
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- Walkers head down Main Street. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
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- Becky and Jim Mourey lead the walkers at the start of the 4K. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
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- Participants prepare for the walk. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
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- Jim Mourey thanks attendees while Becky Mourey listens. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
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- Participants pose at the Town Common gazebo before heading out. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
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- Becky Mourey poses with her family at the Town Common. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
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- ALS One executive director Jen DiMartino, state Rep. Carolyn Dykema and Becky Mourey pose for a photo at Sunday’s event. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
The nonprofit ALS One hosted a 4K walk/run at the Town Common as well as virtual this past Sunday. Hopkinton resident Becky Mourey recently was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) and attended the event to help raise awareness and funds to fight the disease, which currently has no cure.
Mourey, a longtime music teacher (both in local schools and private lessons), started showing symptoms last June. While she continues to give music lessons, she has been unable to play the clarinet for more than six months, as “my atrophied hands and fingers will no longer allow it.”
Mourey notes that on average, people with ALS live 2-5 years from the date of onset. There are only a couple of therapies approved for use in the United States, and she hopes to help get more on the fast track to approval.
“Since my diagnosis I’ve been educating myself about my disease and I have been advocating for change nonstop,” Mourey explained, expressing frustration with governmental bureaucracy that has delayed other possible options.
“The saddest part for me and all of us living with ALS is how hard it is to be heard, to be seen, to get people outside of the ALS world to take pause and to imagine the unimaginable, and to act,” she stated.
Sunday’s event was a lead-up to June 2, when Major League Baseball will celebrate the inaugural Lou Gehrig Day to promote ALS awareness.
Becky and I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all that participated and helped make this event possible! This means so much to our family and others affected by ALS!
Jim, I didn’t know about this walk or I would have done it here. I admire you two for all you are doing to bring awareness to ALS. Wish I was there so I could do more. Keep me updated.
Love You Guys!!
Jan Swaine
Jim is my brother and I couldn’t be more proud of him and Becky for their strength and resilience during this difficult time. Although we live in NH, we plan to do as much as we can for ALS! The fight is on…
My Mother was diagnosed with ALS in 2020 following a year of doctor visits and tests aimed at finding a cure for her slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and weakening limbs. By the time she was diagnosed, she had developed pneumonia and was put on a respirator. A family friend visits us and told us about Danelion Herbal center and their successful ALS TREATMENT, I am happy to report the treatment effectively treated and reversed her Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), most of the symptoms stopped, she is able to walk and able to ride her treadmill again, she is pretty active now and can do everything again. if you need the help of the doctor you can write them on danelionherbalcenter @ gmail.com