Epping man part of Loudon event

FROM STAFF REPORTS


Article Date: Thursday, June 26, 2008
LOUDON — A NASCAR team that includes a person with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease), Martin Wallem of Epping, an avid adventurer, will be racing with The ALS Association's logo on its car Friday as part of the four-day NASCAR racing event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. This is part of a campaign to raise money for ALS research and promote awareness of the disease among what has been called the nation's largest spectator sport.

As part of Racin' For a Cure's drive to put a local face on the disease, Wallem and his wife, Cara Tracy Wallem, both will be honorary members of the pit crew at the race, which will be held at NHMS.

Wallem was diagnosed with the progressive, neurodegenerative disease seven years ago when he was only 31 years old and has entered the advanced stages of the disease. He is confined to a wheelchair and has lost the ability to move 99 percent of his body. In addition, he communicates by blinking his eyes and using a letter board, and breathes with mechanical assistance. Despite all of this, he is very much looking forward to the race and participating in other summer adventures, including reaching the summit of Mt. Washington on Aug. 9.

"Although this disease has brought unthinkable challenges, Martin faces every day with courage and grace," Tracy Wallem said. "Martin has an amazing and inspiring will to keep living. He has so much life to give and he gives to others every day. He is a young man, a father, a husband, a son, a brother and friend. He could be anyone we know."

The team, "Racin' For a Cure," was established by 42-year-old NASCAR agent Scott Pfeiffer after he was diagnosed with the disease last year. Racin' For a Cure has set an ambitious goal: to raise $1 million for The Association's research programs by the end of the 2008 racing season. Proceeds raised by the Racin' For A Cure Team will go to the New England Chapter of The Association to fund cutting-edge research designed to find better treatments or a cure for the disease.

Racin' For A Cure is raising funds by collecting online contributions and selling merchandise through the Racin' For a Cure website (www.racinforacure.com). To maximize the funds raised, team owner and Pfeiffer friend Shawn Keep has generously provided all of the team merchandise at cost through his promotional items company, PromoGiant.

Beyond raising money to fight the disease, the Racin' For a Cure team hopes to build awareness of and support for the effort to find better treatments and a cure for Lou Gehrig's Disease.

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