ALS community unites in Wheaton for a day of support and celebration
WHEATON, Ill. — At Cantigny Park, there is celebration in a diagnosis that is so often feared.
'A whole lot of fun,' Queen Sandifer said.
Sandifer is living with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, which affects the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement.
There are very few treatments and no cure.
On Saturday, more than 1,500 people came to west suburban Wheaton for an annual ALS walk. Attendees call it the largest support group of the year.
The walk raised money for ALS United of Greater Chicago, which helps those diagnosed and their loved ones.
'Events like this not only raise funds to provide services but it also lets people in the ALS community know they're not alone and we're here to be alongside them every step of the way,' Kendra Albers with ALS United of Greater Chicago said.
Bag pipers were at the event to honor the life and legacy of Chicago Bears legend Steve McMichael, who lost his battle with ALS in April, but fought to raise awareness of the disease until the end.
PREVIOUS: Steve 'Mongo' McMichael dies at age 67
'This is what we're all about,' Albers said. 'It's so fun. Last year, it was rainy. Today, it's beautiful, so we're very thankful. I'm going to shoutout Steve McMichael for giving us nice weather this year.'
Nice weather for a community that bands together looking to clear the skies for a hopeful future with the disease.
'It's a great day of celebration, remembrance, togetherness and just fighting back,' Albers said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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