My aunt Fran is living with ALS. Commonly known as Lou
Gehrig’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive
neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal
cord. The progressive degeneration of these neurons causes the brain to lose
the ability to initiate and control muscle movement.
Fran is a life-long New Yorker, other than the few years she
lived in DC for college, which happened to be where and when I was born. This
was not only handy for free babysitting, but resulted in us bonding early on.
Fran has always felt like a big sister to me, and as I got older, she became a
true friend. Growing up, my sister Ali and I spent lots of time with Fran in
New York, and one event we always heard about was the New York Marathon. Fran
and her friends were loyal supporters, camped out at mile 7 with encouraging
cheers and spirit, and no doubt a pitcher of cosmopolitans at their side, for
the thousands of runners tromping by. Because of these stories over the years,
I have always considered New York to be THE marathon. I started running more
seriously after my fellowship in 2012, and tackled my first marathon last fall
in Fairbanks with Ali. Running has been an amazing outlet for me for many
reasons, and has helped immensely in keeping me refreshed with the challenging
work I am doing in hospice and palliative care.
Ali and I never had the chance to watch the marathon with
Fran, but this year are thrilled to run it in her honor, along with our cousin
Eric, as part of Team ALS. It is a fund-raising event to help find effective
treatments and work toward a cure for this terrible disease, for the thousands
of people inflicted with ALS who will never run again themselves. I humbly ask
you to consider making a donation in Fran’s honor.
I very much appreciate your support, and will be thinking of
the amazing outpouring I have received along the way. You can be sure we will
have a very special toast in your honor at the finish - with Cosmos, of course. Many thanks!
~ Jenny Blechman is a local runner and hospice doctor at
Partners In Care. She and her family have lived in Bend since 2002.
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