Local Restaurateur Nears Completion of a Long, Long Trip
by DAVE FACINOLI, Staff Writer
(Created: Sunday, November 16, 2008 5:51 PM EST)

Ben Davis plans to cover the entire 2,175-mile, 14-state Appalachian Trail in an effort to raise awareness of, and funds for, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) research. He is assistant general manager at the Carlyle Grand Cafe in Shirlington.
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Ben Davis, on leave from his job as an assistant general manager at the Carlyle Grand Cafe restaurant in Shirlington, is quickly cooking along in his quest to complete the full distance of the 2,175-mile, 14-state Appalachian Trail.

Davis is making the journey, which began Sept. 21 in Mt. Katahdin, Maine, to raise money and awareness for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Davis hopes to complete the trip by Thanksgiving at the trail’s end in Springer Mountain, Ga. On his Web site at www.2175forALS.com, Davis, 28, shares the stories of men and women who have been diagnosed with ALS. There also are daily updates about his trip.

Davis both runs and walks the trail covering 19 to 50 miles per day. He travels light and is aided by friend Rick Cheever, who drives a support vehicle. Davis spends nights camping, in motels that have donated stays, and in homes of friends. One night, he was greeted with a pancake-breakfast hospitality by someone who heard about his journey from a friend.

Davis said he was inspired by two different men, Bill Jackson and Jon Blais, who were afflicted with ALS. Both have since died. He was inspired by the courage of both. The men are featured on Davis’ Web site. Davis created 2175forALS.com as a way to inspire others to action and provide a platform for people who have been impacted with ALS to tell their stories. His trip is sponsored by nine different companies; donations can be made by visiting the Web site.

Every day in the United States, 15 people are diagnosed with ALS, which has no cure.


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