Less than two years ago, Carl Cura was running a 10K race when his leg became weak, forcing him to stop.

On Friday, Mr. Cura worked his last day as an engineering manager at Fenner Drives, an industrial manufacturer of power transmission drives.

In a short time, complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, have taken their toll.

"Things are getting really difficult, picking my arms up and answering the phone," Mr. Cura said. "Believe it or not, simply going to the bathroom without assistance is very difficult."

His wife, Joanne, said his decision to stop working came at the right time. "He would be at work and want to be home with us," she said.

Riding a motorized scooter, Mr. Cura was one of more than 300 people who participated Saturday in the first Wilmington area "Walk to D'Feet ALS" to raise awareness and money for ALS research. The Raleigh-based Jim "Catfish" Hunter Chapter of the ALS Association sponsored the walk.

ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive, fatal neurological disease affecting as many as 20,000 Americans, with 5,000 new cases in the U.S. each year.

"It's a disease that can strike anyone at any age," said Mr. Cura, 40, who was diagnosed in January 2002. "It's a baffling, troublesome disease because researchers do not know the underlying cause."

Most of the walkers were part of teams that walked in honor of a loved one who suffers from or died from the disease.

"My best friend's mom passed away from ALS," said participant Debbie Ackley. , "I learned some about it and it's a horrible, horrible disease. I'm here to raise money for research."

Mr. Cura's team, "Carl's Dream Team," was the largest team with over 40 walkers, including his wife, Joanne, and three children.

Lauren Bottom walked for her neighbor, Mr. Cura.

"He has three small children," she said. "It's just scary."

Mr. Cura said he didn't pay attention when he first experienced symptoms of the disease. It was not until he fell during the Christmas holidays in 2001 that he went to see a doctor and was diagnosed with ALS.

"It started in my legs," he said. The disease often has a rapid rate of progression and by last September Mr. Cura was unable to walk.

ALS is considered rare, affecting 4 in every 100,000 persons a year.

Mr. Cura said 10 percent of cases are hereditary, but in most cases the disease strikes one family member then never shows up again.

He said he has been frustrated by the lack of knowledge by his doctors and has chosen to not seek care.

"There's really nothing they can do. I know more about the disease than my neurologist. Unfortunately, there are only a few specialists in the U.S. and probably only 15 clinics," he said.

As a result, Mr. Cura said he has chosen to conduct his own research and asks his family physician to prescribe medications.

"The Internet has been very helpful," he said. "The people who are suffering from ALS communicate quite readily online."

He said the ALS Association is the leading advocate for lobbying on Capital Hill to raise money for research.

Mr. Cura said he was willing to speak about his disease and participate in the walk to raise awareness and money for ALS.

"I don't want to call attention to myself," he said.

Sharon Roberts, the Wilmington area "Walk to D'Feet ALS" city chairman, said Saturday's event had raised over $11,000 from corporate and private donations, not including pledges collected by the walkers.

"Most of the walkers raised close to $100 each and there's at least 300 here, so it looks really good," she said.

Helen Hunter, the wife of baseball pitching great Jim "Catfish" Hunter, was also on hand to volunteer her time. Mr. Hunter died from the disease in 1999.

She said she participates in many of the walks held in North Carolina and South Carolina.

"I think it's just great because we need more awareness of ALS. People just don't know what it does to people until they see it," Mrs. Hunter said.

Mrs. Cura said she was "touched and overwhelmed" by all the people who walked to support her husband.

"He's just a great guy and a lot of people love him," she said.

Mr. Cura said ALS is "one of those diseases that you think will never happen to you."

"It only happens to other people. You have to live your life day-to-day because survival rates vary."

He said some people survive for only a year and others live up to 15 years.

"It robs you of your dreams and you can't plan for the future," he said.