GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The ALS Association hosted Michigan’s first 2024 CEO Soak at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park with local business leaders in honor of the 10-year anniversary of the challenge and to raise awareness for the fatal disease.
Behind the ALS “ice bucket challenge” that started in 2014 is a cause Tyson Broyles says his future depends on. He's been living with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, for nearly seven years.
"In the beginning, it wasn't so bad but the past couple of years have been a journey,” Tyson Broyles said. I've had pneumonia, a heart attack, and I’ve had breathing problems. Overall it's day to day, there are good days and bad days."
Among the eight people getting soaked for the awareness event were CEO Soak committee chair Matt Wey, Frederik Meijer Gardens CEO and president Charles Burke, PNC Bank regional president Sean Welsh, and Greenville Partners CEO David Hooker.
According to the University of Michigan Health, ALS remains a deadly disease with no cure. Every 90 minutes, someone is diagnosed and passes away from ALS and the disease has a life expectancy of 2-4 years. Broyles says after what he's been through, he's grateful he was able to be a part of the awareness event.
"I feel good because I've been through it, I've been dead and brought back to life. I wasn't supposed to be here today but I am,” Broyles said. He hopes there is some form of a cure in the next five to ten years.
As Broyles continues his fight with ALS, he's thankful for the ALS Association, his family and friends and says it's because of them and his own strength that he has hope. He says to those living with ALS to find resources in their community.
"Reach out to ALS Association or your local association, any association that deals with ALS,” Broyles said. There’s also the Susan Mast ALS Foundation in Walker and do your research."
Since the ice bucket challenge started in 2014, the ALS Association has inspired 17 million people around the world to do the challenge to raise awareness and has raised $117 million dollars worldwide, which has helped with global research, assisting people living with ALS and efforts to help find a cure for the fatal disease.
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