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Andrew Kim
Let's GOOOOOO and find a cure!!
| Event: | Kansas City Walk Presented by Murphy-Hoffman Company |
| Date: | October 9th, 2021 |
| Team: | AK for ALS |
In the fall of 2007, my family's life changed forever. My grandfather felt a tingling sensation in his throat. At first, he thought it was seasonal allergies, but he decided to get tested anyway. Through the process of elimination, KU Med diagnosed him with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”).
We didn’t really know what this was. When we went online to do the research, it seemed that he didn’t fit the profile of most people with ALS. He wasn’t in the military or on a soccer team, and was older than the average age of those with the disease. And ALS was not common among Asian-Americans. Then, of course, the big question: how did he get it? But the gradual onset of symptoms convinced us that he had ALS. In less than two years, he lost the battle to the awful disease.
A big sports fan, my grandfather came to all my athletic activities. And we used to play soccer and basketball together at our home. But then gradually it became difficult for him to walk or use his arms. He lost his speech. He had trouble swallowing. He ended up being confined to a wheelchair and hooked up to a feeding tube. Eventually, it became impossible for him to breathe.
Forever etched in my mind are the sad images of my grandfather valiantly struggling to live as long as possible so that he could enjoy seeing his beloved grandchildren grow up. I often think of my grandfather these days at my swim meets and basketball and lacrosse games. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to have my #1 fan cheering me on!
There is no cure for ALS at the moment. But since my grandfather’s death in 2009, huge strides have been made in treating the illness and managing the symptoms. But we need to do more to find a cure.
Please join my team, AK for ALS, on October 9th, 2021. If you are unable to walk with us, please consider sponsoring me. We can make a difference.
Love,
Andrew
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Andrew Kim
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