Ride For Life: Brothers stand as one against ALS

Born and raised in public housing, having risen to public prominence as a judge, a doctor and a councilman, the McGrath brothers are born fighters.

And now, eight years after losing one brother to leukemia, the McGraths are again battling to save the life of a sibling: Dr. Michael "Mickey" McGrath. Mickey has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a degenerative muscular disorder with no cure.

Mickey, Patrick, Edward, Kevin and Timothy McGrath -- along with their sister, Kathleen -- were the six children born to Edward "Mugger" McGrath and his wife, Mary Alice. Raised in Corliss Park Apartments, the family recalled their father -- who also died young at 43 -- as a stern but loving figure much beloved in Lansingburgh, where he started the Pop Warner football league. "Mugger" McGrath -- so nicknamed after being mugged as a youth -- worked for Freihofer Baking Co. as a driver, then at National Auto, a parts store, before a weak heart left him unable to work. The people of St. John's parish invited the family to live in the cemetery caretaker's home.

"My father died in '73 at 43," said Patrick McGrath, who is Rensselaer County judge. "Kevin was 2. Mickey and I were in college."

Mickey, the oldest who is now 50, became the head of the family.

"Mickey's more or less my father figure," said Kevin, 30, who works for Niagara Mohawk. "I've always looked up to him as a father. Mickey is usually the one who is doing the support for other people. He has been the prime family member to tie everybody together. It's hard for him to ask for help."

In 1993, Timothy -- known by the nickname "Whitey" -- died of leukemia.

"We didn't think it was possible, but we got even closer when Whitey died," Edward said.

Then early this year, Mickey started experiencing muscle problems he first thought were caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. As a doctor, he recognized his own symptoms and went to a neurologist and then an ALS expert.

They confirmed the diagnosis: He had a disease that progressively robs its victims of the ability to move, to swallow and eventually to breathe -- all while the mind stays alert.

"Knowing what I know about ALS, it was more or less a sinking feeling because I wasn't aware of any real treatment or research being done," Mickey said.

He found out about Project ALS, started three years ago by Jenifer Estess after she was diagnosed with the disease at age 35 and was told there was neither medication nor a cure.

Her sister, Valerie, came to Troy Friday to accept $30,000 raised by the McGraths for the charity.

"After learning there was absolutely no medication for ALS, we decided to find some," Valerie Estess said. The organization has raised $9 million to date -- with $7 million going to research. The group has a Web site, www.projectals.org.

The McGrath family, having lost a father and a brother so young, do not want to let Mickey go without the fight of their lives. Edward surprised fellow Democrats by deciding not to seek re-election to the City Council. Part of the reason was increased duties at work. The other was his family.

He has now committed himself to leading the family fight to find a cure for ALS.

"We are a very close-knit, active family," Edward said. "We said, 'Let's do something about it.' Getting the word out to people about the research is critical. There is no cure. They have some very positive results in stem-cell research."

The family held a fund-raiser Nov. 9 at Mario's Banquet House that raised more than $35,000. Some pledges are still coming in.

"We had 375 people attend the fund-raiser," Edward said. "We had over 500 people respond for donations. We raised over $35,000. Our initial goal was to raise $10,000. The outpouring of support we got was outstanding."

Patrick McGrath said the support is a result of people's love for Mickey.

"It's just a testament to my brother Mickey, how well-liked he is in the community, how many people he has taken care of," he said.

Mickey said he is grateful for the support.

"It's wonderful. The response from my family, my friends, not only supportive of me personally but of Project ALS," he said.

He continues to work at his practice weekday mornings, then he does exercises meant to keep up his strength.

"I have been able to continue working, but I reduced it and pace myself," he said. "It's still a disease, and it's taken its toll on me to some degree. There is hope, and the medication I am on seems to help."

Asked what he hopes to accomplish, Edward replies: "The simple answer is to cure ALS. The real answer is to keep my brother here for as long as I can have him."

Patrick McGrath said facing this new trauma has made him appreciate his life and his family.

"What it shows me is to not take life for granted. Appreciate what you have and don't worry about what you don't have," he said. "Live every day to the fullest because you don't know what life will bring."