Cathy Miller Spearheads ALS Efforts
Three years ago, Cathy Miller's 30-year-old cousin, Jemma, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).



The Yankee Stadium scoreboard welcoming the Miller family to the ballpark at their 2006 trip to The Bronx.
Cathy, a resident of Old Westbury, has participated in The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter's signature event, the Walk to D'Feet ALS by becoming Captain of team "For the Love of Jemma."

In her role as captain, Cathy spearheaded two letter-writing campaigns in order to raise funds for a cure. In 2005, her letter-writing campaign raised $101,657. In 2006, the campaign raised $106,809.

Currently, there are 150 Walks to D'Feet ALS nationwide, with For the Love of Jemma being the most successful fundraising team in both years.

This year the Walk to D'Feet ALS will be held Sunday, Sept. 30 at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow. Over 5,000 participants are expected, along with over 20 ALS patients known as PALS.

The Walks are designed to raise funds and awareness of ALS, of which currently there is no known cause, cure or effective treatment.

Cathy is once again gearing up for her campaign and is in the process of sending out the letters.

"For a second year in a row, we will be honoring Cathy Miller's incredible fundraising efforts with a ceremony at home plate at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 1 right before the game," said Jennifer Lowy, director of Marketing and Special Events for The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter. "We are grateful to have Cathy on our team and look forward to seeing her surpass last year's total."

Also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS is a fatal neuromuscular disease that attacks the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. As these cells die, the muscles they control become weak and then nonfunctional. As the disease progresses, people with ALS become paralyzed while their minds usually remain unaffected and aware of their bodies' deterioration.

The Seventh Annual Long Island Walk to D'Feet ALS is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 30 at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. and the Walk begins at 11 a.m.

The event is rain or shine and the Walk is stroller and wheelchair accessible. For more information, call 1-800-672-8857 or go to www.als-ny.org.