Record turnout for 13th Annual Walk to Defeat ALS

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Saturday’s wet weather did not stop walkers from participating in the 13th Annual Walk to Defeat ALS in Wilmington.

Organizers says they had a record number of participants this year with 950 walkers and 72 teams.

Megan Johnson, ALS Association’s Jim “Catfish” Hunter Chapter senior development coordinator, says this big turnout is due in part to all the awareness raised during the Ice Bucket Challenge. She says they want that momentum to continue.

“This is really a day of honor, and people who have family members or friends with ALS or have lost family members with ALS, we come out and celebrate their fight and what they’ve done,” Johnson said. “And we push forward so other families don’t go through the same thing.”

Almost $130,000 was raised during this event. That money will go toward research, patient advocacy and care services.