Stratford Beacon Herald (Ontario, Canada)
October 7, 2003 Tuesday Final Edition
SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 7
LENGTH: 285 words

The Stratford and St. Marys communities contributed $5,348 in conjunction with last week's walk in London for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Local fund-raising efforts were spearheaded by the family of Lanny Thistle, who died Aug. 27 as a result of the disease. He had been diagnosed 14 months ago and family members had watched him deteriorate to the point that he had to be fed by tube and was losing the use of his limbs.

A large family (Mr. Thistle had 16 siblings) the Thistles decided to take part in the London walk as a way of honouring Lanny Thistle and contributing towards ALS research. Mr. Thistle was only 58.

When they discovered there was a five-kilometre walk being held in London Sept. 27, the family enrolled as a team of more than 30 members and named it The Thistle Crew.

Even Beverly Horton, 50, a sister of Mr. Thistle's who has rheumatoid arthritis, was determined to show her support and successfully completed the walk. "I did it but I couldn't walk for two days after," she said.

She had provided care for her brother for the last three years of his life. Although Mr. Thistle's ailment had not been diagnosed until a little over a year ago, Ms. Horton said it was probably the start of Lou Gehrig's three years ago that had begun to affect her brother.

She said sleeping had become very difficult for him and it became increasingly difficult for him to eat or drink.

Both Ms. Horton and Mr. Thistle's daughter, Kelly Thistle, said the family is most appreciative of the support given by people in Stratford and St. Marys communities.

Ms. Horton said she hopes the contributions will help other people with the disease.