Walk held to fight Lou Gehrig's disease

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Hundreds of people were walking in Delaware Park Saturday morning to help defeat ALS, a disease that has touched the Channel 4 family personally this year.

He's a beloved friend and a former Channel 4 colleague, Brian Beyer is also one of 30,000 Americans battling Lou Gehrig's Disease, or ALS.

Beyer said, "I thought the best way I could describe it was it's becoming paralyzed a little bit more everyday."

Recently walkers united for Multiple Sclerosis.

A fall Friday night left Brian unable to walk, but at Delaware Park Saturday morning, a team of family and friends was walking for him.

Brian's wife and event co-chair, Christa Beyer added, "We knew we were starting this journey together and like any journey it has it ups and downs and detours and bumps along the way."

Roy Schrodt who is Beyer's friend and a News 4 employee said "To see something like this cut his career short, and of course his longevity in life, it's just a terrible tragedy, and you just can't not come."

Al Vaughters added, "Every time we need something in the newsroom, something mechanical, something electronic, Brian is always there. He's always been there. It's actually an honor and a pleasure for me to come out here today and sweat a little bit on behalf of Brian and the ALS association."

The Association holds this Walk to Defeat ALS annually to raise money and awareness for the debilitating and ultimately fatal neuromuscular disorder.

"The neurons, or the things that fire your muscles no long work and eventually your muscles will atrophy and die," said Christa Beyer.

There is no known cause or cure for ALS. While much of the money raised at this walk will go to research, some will also go to local patients services. The average cost of care for one ALS patient can cost up to a quarter million dollars a year.

Executive Directory of the ALS Association, Katharine Loomis said, "One of the big things is our equipment loan closet, so if something isn't provided by insurance, whether it's anything from a walker or some sort of assistant device, to power wheelchairs, we provide for people. So it's important we can do this. "

Each and every one of the nearly 500 participants is walking for a loved one, and walking for a cure, so other families will one day never have to go on their tragic journey.

Jamie Panek who lost his father to ALS said, "There's many groups here and we're all just one big family trying to find a cure."

Beyer says being the chair of the ALS Walk was a privilege for him.

"Thanks to all those who came to walk. All those people on team BRBman, especially to my friends, and to my wonderful wife," said Beyer.

And in the time he has left, Brian has made it his mission to help others.

Beyer said, "I've actually become part of two different clinical trials for research into ALS. Hopefully this research will go on, and will help other people in the future. Not only for myself, but everyone else."