Ride For Life

Even though Port Jefferson, Long Island, New York already puts itself on the map with its beautiful marine showcases and ferry transportation to Bridgeport, CT, it seems to give itself a new name of “being recognized” by means of the annual Fourth of July Parade. It gives the ever-growing crowds an eyeful of beautiful antique cars, fire engines, and wonderful examples of patriotism. Only one thing has been different for the past two parades…the ALS/Ride for Life has been involved in it.

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Bob, a 7th grader at the North Country Road Middle School in Miller Place. After hearing Mr Pendergast speak at our school, I knew I had to do something to help. I originated the idea and worked to get the Ride included in the Parade. My school helped me and we did it! These past two years, the 4th of July has been a time of excitement, joy, and anticipation leading up to the parade. more...

Under the great leadership of Shirley Allan, a 7th grade science teacher, the students and staff of the Thomas Grover Middle School in Princeton Junction, New Jersey have become ardent Ride for Life supporters and ALS fighters. more...

Raising more than $200,000 for research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known as Lou Gehrig's disease, wasn't enough for Northport High School students. This summer, four students are heading into ALS laboratories across the country in an attempt to tackle the fatal motor neuron disease head-on.more...

UNC nursing major Amanda Watson had two reasons for speaking Lou Gehrig's disease to over 350 people standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial this week. Both her grandfather and great-grandfather died from the disease, also known as ALS.more...

Christian Carey, 13, and Pau Careyl, 15, Cincinnati, Ohio brothers have raised more than $150,000 in the last two years for ALSA's Central and Southern Ohio Chapter Walk to D'Feet ALS. more...

Northport High School students (Long Island) gathered more than 400 people at Oheka Castle to celebrate the second annual Midwinter Night’s Dream on January 11, through which they raised more than $137,000 for ALS research in the name of former district teachers (and ALS patients) Chris Pendergast and David Deutsch. Actor Billy Baldwin was present at the event and he raised more than $18,000 on the spot, gaining sponsorship for a Northport Middle School student shaving his head for the cause. Former Yankees Tommy John and Jim Leyritz also attended. --------more...

Seventh grader Dylan Prevost can teach most adults valuable lessons; about seeing a need and filling it, or sacrificing pleasures for a greater good -- lessons he demonstrated by building a bridge for his dad who has ALS. --------more...

Christina Raia was 14 when her father Anthony was diagnosed with ALS. At the time, this devoted husband and father-of-five was 43 years old. Of course, her father's sudden illness completely changed Raia's life. She became determined to do whatever she could to help raise awareness of this mysterious disease that can inexplicably strike anyone at any time. --------more...

With his spiked red hair stiff with styling gel, Jason Metcalfe fidgeted excitedly in his pin-striped shirt and navy blue suit. The 11-year-old was about to hand over more than than $ 1,300 to officials from the national ALS Association, money he had raised selling candy and soliciting donations for research for ALS to help his school principal's husband, George Chapman, who has ALS. --------more...

The youngsters in the story are 6th graders who knew Mr. Pendergast, an ALS patient. They have been very active, along with their parents on various ALS fundraisers. They are an excellent model for the creativity needed to find interesting and fun ways to generate donations. --------more...

A poem by Julie Montegue, Northport High School Student --------more...

The Student Council leaders at Burr Intermediate School in Long Island have embarked on a consciousness raising effort to educate their classmate and the community at large about a debilitating disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Armed with the information from wheelchair-bound Northport teacher Chris Pendergast, who inspired the students with his first hand account of his efforts of "Riding for a Cure" to raise awareness, and his own philosophy of coping with ALS by helping others, the students are compiling and selling cookbooks to raise funds for research to find a cure for the fatal disease. --------more...

The following is an essay written by a young lady and her friend who came from Trumbull, Connecticut to join in with the ALS patients on the last day of Ride 2002. It shows her commitment and dedication. They are remarkable young people. --------more...

Young people are often touched by ALS. Perhaps it was a parent or grandparent that was afflicted. Maybe it was a neighbor or family friend that they knew. Regardless, children's lives are also affected by this disease. Here is a poignant account of a young lady's great generosity. It is important that children feel empowered. They need to know that they, too, can make a difference. --------more...

The young daughter of a much beloved mom who died from ALS sent us this poem she sent to her family and friends on the first anniversary of her death. --------more...

Riding for Life, a poem by Buddy Pendergast, son of PALS --------more...

A poem by Mike Delph, Elementary Student, Comsewogue School District, Long Island, NY --------more...

Children of all ages show great compassion, courage, understanding, and caring about people living with ALS. This section of our website is dedicated to them. Click here to go to Kids Care about ALS --------more...