My beautiful and amazing sister, Devorah, received the devastating news that she has ALS on February 13, 2013. ALS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease), is a rapidly progressive, invariably fatal neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. That includes the muscle action we are able to control, such as those in the arms, legs, and face. Devorah was given 2-4 years to live.

ALS has no cure.

Devorah is 40 years old and a mother to four children ages 18 and under. She has two beautiful, bright girls, and two incredible boys.

Devorah's body has begun to degenerate, and tasks that you and I take for granted are now insurmountable challenges for her.  Devorah struggles with everyday functions and is facing a terrible disease, yet she still manages to inspire countless people and make them laugh. You can see how she does that by reading her blog at:

http://shirat-devorah.com/

All of the things that are happening to Devorah's body are horrifying. What is even more horrifying is that Devorah and her family have seen this all before. Our mother, Miriam Cooper, died seven and a half years ago of ALS. The way that Devorah's muscles are degenerating seems eerily familiar. I don't think I ever really understood what déjà vu meant until now.

Please help Devorah, her amazingly supportive husband, and their four kids somehow get through this in the best way possible.

In addition to supporting me, please think about joining the team. You can run, walk or crawl 10k, do a half marathon, or the whole thing!

Devorah is a fighter! Let's help her fight!