Marathon to raise funds, awareness for ALS

By Julie Levin
Special Correspondent
Posted January 28 2007


When he was growing up, Jim Bigl figured his dad could live forever.

"I thought he was going to be indestructible," said Bigl, of Lighthouse Point.

His father, Joe Bigl, exercised regularly and was in terrific health. He led such an active retirement he even took up snowboarding and piano playing in his 60s.

But when he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease, the debilitating disease took over.

Within months, Joe Bigl lost 50 pounds, and the disease affected even the most basic bodily functions.

"There were times we would have to remind him to breathe," Bigl said.

His father's death in 2000 inspired Bigl to join The ALS Association's National Board of Trustees and commit his time, talents and resources to the fight against the devastating disease, for which there are no viable treatments or cure.

On Feb. 18, Bigl will run in the second A1A Marathon in Fort Lauderdale to raise awareness and funds for ALS research. It will be his first marathon race, which he's been training for since October.

"I'm doing it to raise both awareness and funding for the research that we do," said the 43-year old Bigl, who hopes to raise as much as $50,000 through donations to Team Bigl.

ALS is a progressive fatal neuromuscular disease that attacks nerve cells and pathways in the brain and spinal cord.

All voluntary muscle action is affected, and patients in the later stages of the disease are totally paralyzed. In most cases, mental faculties are not affected. The ALS Association is the only national not-for-profit health organization dedicated to the fight against ALS.

In the last decade, The ALS Association has committed close to $40 million for ALS research. The ALS Association is funding more than 100 research studies around the world.

Because it is a neuromuscular disease, a cure for ALS could potentially also help people with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

"Hopefully when there is a breakthrough in one of three diseases, it will help the other two," Bigl said.

The 2007 A1A Marathon will begin at 6 a.m. Feb. 18. For more information, visit www.a1amarathon.com.

To support Jim Bigl's team at the A1A Marathon and give to The ALS Association, visit www.alsa.org and click on the donate button.

When making a donation, indicate the gift is in support of the Bigl Marathon for ALS. Donations may also be sent payable to The ALS Association and sent to James J. Bigl, Marathon for ALS, 4010 NE 26th Ave., Lighthouse Point, FL 33064, or The ALS Association, 27001 Agoura Road, Suite 150, Calabasas Hills, CA 91301-5104.

To reach the Florida chapter of The ALS Association, visit webfl.alsa.org.