Ride for Life is sad to report the passing of Michael Beier, who died from ALS on Friday, April 25.
Michael, who was diagnosed with ALS in December 2000, displayed great courage living with the disease and his heroic efforts to raise research money to find a cure have left a lasting impression on the world.
In the past two years, Michael, who was director of equity trading for Credit Suisse First Boston, used his connections in New York's financial center, to help raise more than $2.65 million dollars through "Wings Over Wallstreet," the annual fund raising event he co-founded.
Michael also participated in last year's Ride for Life event, riding his wheelchair more than 150 miles, from Montauk Point, on the tip of Long Island, to Manhattan, and was interviewed by Katie Couric on NBC's Today Show, who did a live segment during the Ride.
Michael, along with his wife Theresa and their two young children, Carly and Dustin, were featured last September, on the New York area broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon. Graciously putting their privacy aside, they allowed the public to see how their personal battle against ALS affected every aspect of their daily lives.
Michael's leadership, dedication, and fighting spirit will not easily be replaced. But all of us in the ALS community must rise to the challenge and renew our efforts to fight this horrible disease that continues to kill the people we love.
Thank you Michael and God bless and keep you and your family.
I met Michael Beier at the steps of St. Patrick's Cathedral in May 2001. He had been recently diagnosed and like all new patients, was scanning the horizon for ways to become involved. He found out about Ride for Life and set out to find us. We had just completed our Ride for Life and were at the church for a prayer service. Even with his cane and leg braces, Michael managed to swagger. As he stood over me while I sat in my wheelchair, his radiant smile and piercing eyes focused my complete attention. He was bubbling with questions. He breathed enthusiasm back into my exhausted body. After having just spent the last nine days riding on my chair, I was not prepared for him. As we exchanged ideas, a glue began to set. Michael and I bonded that day and were forever more stuck with each other.
In 2002, Michael was my faithful Ride buddy, although he did not start out that way. He and his sweet wife, Theresa, came out to Montauk to join us for just the weekend. He had no idea what was in store for him! Little did he know the power of the experience. After an exhilarating and incredible two days, Mike reluctantly left the Ride to go back to the real world. He was a director of trading for a major Wall Street firm. He was responsible for many people and huge sums of money. He simply had to be back at work.
His first call came in to the Ride early Monday morning with his enthusiastic, "How's it goin'? I wish I was there." I told him that we were holding up pretty well, although the rain was miserable. A few hours later, his second call came in, during which he said he should be out there with us. I told him it was o.k. and he need to do what he needed to do. I did not yet know the real Mike Beier.
(Photo caption: Chris Pendergast (right), Mike Beier (left), and members of Ride for Life 2002 are interviewed by Katie Couric of NBC's Today.)
By late afternoon, Mike had cleared his workweek, hired a car, and was on his way out to the Hamptons to rejoin us! Mike wasn't a talker, he got things done. He dragged out his wife and corralled his brother, Joe. With their help, Michael and I rode together the rest of the Ride. We shared ALS war stories, talked about our hopes and dreams, our fears, and our families. We laughed a lot, cried a little, and prayed. But most of all, we enjoyed each other's company. When interviewed by Katie Couric on The Today Show, he said that he was riding "for all those who can't."
(Photo caption: Mike Beier (right) helps raise the arm of Chris Pendergast (left) at Yankee Stadium ceremony honoring Ride for Life 2002.)
The Ride infected Mike with the notion that patients can indeed make a difference. He set out to help Toni Diamond and their Wings of Hope (named after her love of flying as a flight attendant) event. Adopting it, he renamed it Wings Over Wallstreet. Michael made history. Rallying his Wall Street associates, he and his great team of supporters at Credit Suisse were able to put together an unbelievable evening. They raised over $2,000,000. It was the MDA's greatest single ALS event in their history.
(Photo caption: Theresa Beier, Mike Beier, and Joe Beier, Mike's brother.)
Michael, unfortunately, was deteriorating rapidly. His breathing declined precipitously and he had tremendous difficulty managing his secretions. He turned to BiPap in an attempt to stabilize, but sadly, for all of us, it did not help his underlying difficulty. He struggled for the last two months, hoping against hope that he could rally. He did not. He fought like a lion until the end. Michael drew his last breath while peacefully sleeping without his BiPap, Friday evening, April 25, 2003.
Michael leaves two beautiful children, Carly and Dustin, as testimony of his life. He left, also, a great bunch of brothers and sisters, as well as, his brave Mom and Dad. He has a team of co-workers that will find his void hard to fill. Finally, he left his rock, Theresa, his wife. She so lovingly and courageously helped Michael bear the unbearable.
Michael did nothing small. He had the heart of a lion. He also lived his life regally. He never asked twice, did not accept second best, and did not waste time with idle talk. Michael gave everything he could in the fight to help others with ALS. Too bad he did not live long enough to see the benefits of his hard work.
It did not take long to learn to admire him. It did not take long to love him.
I suspect, he is up there right now putting together a deal. He is not going to give up the fight just because he died. His spirit will continue.
Now, we'll Ride for him.
Please see the stories below to learn more about Michael Beier.
Mike Beier and "Wings Over Wall Street" raise more than $1.9 million for ALS research
Columbia ALS Research Center Named for Theresa & Michael Beier
Mike Beier fights ALS with words, actions, and some Wall Street friends.
Mike Beier featured on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon
"Wings Over Wall Street" will aid hunt for ALS cure