Copyright 2005 Post-Standard
All Rights Reserved.
The Post-Standard (Syracuse, New York)
July 21, 2005 Thursday
FINAL EDITION
SECTION: NEIGHBORS EAST; Pg. 6
LENGTH: 389 words

HEADLINE: MAN SWIMS, RUNS AND RIDES TO FIGHT LOU GEHRIG'S DISEASE;
KEITH KUTIL HAS RAISED MORE THAN $17,000 TO HONOR HIS FATHER, WHO HAS ALS.

BYLINE: By Jim Read Staff writer

BODY:

Keith Kutil started running - and biking and swimming - to help those diagnosed with a disease that causes muscles to waste away.

Kutil decided to raise money for research to find a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis after his father, Bob Kutil, was diagnosed with the disease in January.

"I can swim, I can run," Keith Kutil said. "It is something I can do to raise money for this."

Keith Kutil dedicated his race in the June 18 YMCA Triathlon at Green Lakes State Park to his father, and he sent out nearly 2,000 letters asking for pledges. So far, more than $17,000 has been raised, and more money is expected, he said.

The donations are being forwarded to the national ALS Association, which finances research into the condition better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

"I think it's fantastic," said Bob Kutil, 69, of Manlius, of his son's efforts. "It's not for me, it's for ALS research."

He said he didn't know about the fundraiser until he received a copy of the letter sent out by his son before the triathlon.

Bob Kutil also was a runner, but the disease has affected his balance and he now uses a cane to get around. He once ran marathons, he said, "but, now, I can't run a step."

About 5,600 people in the United States are diagnosed with ALS each year, according to the ALS Association. Muscle weakness or stiffness are early symptoms of the disease, which progresses to wasting and paralysis of muscles of the limbs and trunk as well as those that control speech, swallowing and later, breathing.

Keith Kutil was hooked on triathlons after completing the YMCA event, and continues to train. He finished second in his age group, 48 to 49, in the Sandy Island Beach-Selkirk Shores Triathlon in Oswego County on Sunday and plans to compete in three more triathlons this summer. "I didn't realize there were that many of them," he said. "I got kind of hooked."

The triathlons won't be fundraisers, but Keith Kutil also plans to participate in the Lowell Smith Walk to D'Feet ALS Run and Walk Aug. 21 in Camillus, a fundraiser for the local ALS Association chapter.

Anyone who wishes to contribute to ALS research can send a check made out to the ALS Association and send it to Keith Kutil, 305 Race St., Chittenango, NY 13037. Put "Kutil Research" in the memo area of the check. Kutil will forward the checks on to the ALS Association.