Fight ALS.

Thank you for helping me with my fundraising for this years Ride to Defeat ALS in Your Neighborhood 2021
This is where I get to introduce my self Michael Macielewicz and tell you all a bit of information on my progress with PLS in the three years since my diagnosis. This will thankfully be my third year riding in support for ALS. I was diagnosed with PLS in October of 2018. There are only 300 to 500 people with PLS in the United States. PLS attacks the limbs and voluntary muscles like heart, diaphragm, arms, legs, voice box and tongue. PLS is a slower progressive form of ALS sometimes lasting many years. PLS and ALS is different with each patient sometimes faster and sometime slower. Those of you that know me know that I am a very strong person and I will fight this disease as hard as I can one day at a time. I am in my power chair about 70 percent of the time now. I try not to use my chair in the house. This way I can keep my muscles from disappearing so fast as this disease is known as a "wasting disease". :-( I still have to try lol not to do too much at one time. Those of you that know me know this will be and is a very hard thing for me to do. So as a reminder that I have done too much my body decides to make my muscles cramp up so bad that I am un able to walk the next day. Because when I do finally slow down my body is cramping all over. But one thing that I have learned from this disease is “you know your true friends are there when you need them the most". I am now having some difficulty with my breathing and with a lot of my muscles. My arms , hands and legs are developing more spasticity (cramps) in them making it harder to do many things like I use to. I get tired a lot faster then I use to now. This disease has taught me how to slow down and enjoy the moments and to enjoy the time I do get to see my children and grandchildren. So now I am living one day at a time literally now finding that life is no guarantee. So please take a lesson from me and enjoy every minute you have with friends and family because you never know when it might be the last time that you see them. So don’t waste any opportunities to enjoy those moments with them. And never be afraid to say something to them. The words “I LOVE YOU” are three of the most important words you can ever say to someone. So take every opportunity to say them to the ones you love. I would love to be able to say so much more. Thank you for reading this and for all of your help with such and important opportunity to help find a possibly find a cure for this horrible disease.
This is an exciting opportunity for us to work together to help support those affected by Lou Gehrig's disease “ALS” in our local communities and to spread awareness of the urgency to find treatments and ultimately, a cure.

Please consider supporting me and my efforts by giving a tax deductible donation towards my goal. Please know any amount helps and every dollar makes a difference.

You may also join my team by registering today and commit to your own personal fundraising efforts. The more, the merrier, and together we will have an amazing ride on July 17th & 18th of 2021.

With your help, we will be able to make a difference in the lives of people affected by this disease while also having a great time. I encourage you get your friends, family, neighbors and coworkers involved!

Why We Need Your Help

often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs a person of their ability to walk, speak, swallow and eventually breathe. The life expectancy of a person with ALS averages only 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis. In a very short period of time, the person and their family need a myriad of services and support The ALS Association is their one-stop-shop.

Every 90 minutes a person in this country is diagnosed with ALS and every 90 minutes another person will lose their battle against this disease. ALS occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic boundaries. This crippling disease can strike anyone.

The ALS Association Oregon and SW Washington Chapter supports families living with ALS at each and every stage of the disease. Through local monthly support groups, medical equipment loan closets, caregiver support, partnerships with multi-disciplinary clinics, and so much more - services are provided at no cost to the person with ALS and their family. The local chapter receives no government or insurance funding, but is supported through events like the Ride to Defeat ALS.

Help create change in the ALS community. Support my efforts or join my team today!
All the help you can give will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Michael Macielewicz