WARWICK – The 14th annual Scott Carlson Memorial Road Race 5K run/walk on April 19 raised more than $50,000, putting fundraising for The ALS Association’s Rhode Island chapter above the half-million mark.
The first race was held in 2000, said Nancy Feroldi, executive director of The ALS Association-Rhode Island chapter.
Mayor Scott Avedisian congratulated the organizers and participants.
“I am proud to recognize the extraordinary efforts of a dedicated group of volunteers, athletes, and spectators who gather every year to honor Scott’s memory and raise money for such a worthwhile cause,” Avedisian said. “It’s incredible that in a relatively short time they have raised such a significant amount of money on behalf of all those who are affected by this disease.”
ALS stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, a progressive degenerative disease of the nervous system.
Scott Carlson, who died in December 2003 at the age of 39, began the event as a way to raise awareness and funds for the disease. A triathlete, he designed the event and course in a way that would involve his community of athletes. The East Greenwich Rotary Club was involved from the beginning after his mother-in-law, Joyce Phipps, brought his idea to the club and asked for support, said Judy Pratt, race chairwoman and director.
Just over 600 runners and walkers participated at Goddard Park on April 19, joined by hundreds of spectators and a volunteer group of at least 60. Volunteers come from all walks of life, according to Pratt, with the largest contingent from the East Greenwich Rotary Club, as well as many from the New England Institute of Technology’s Rotaractor Club, Warwick Veterans Memorial High School, and Boy Scout Troop 1/East Greenwich.
Carlson’s brothers, Glenn and Eric, were in attendance again this year, and his father, Alan, continued the tradition of starting the race.
The ALS Association’s Rhode Island chapter provides resources that include a chapter-sponsored Multidisciplinary ALS Clinic for patients, as well as respite care and transportation, Pratt said.
While the average number of patients per state with ALS who need assistance is about 50, there are 62 patients and families in Rhode Island needing help, Pratt said.
“Scott knew the cure would not come in time to save him,” Pratt said. “He was so hopeful that by raising awareness and funds we would be able to support other Rhode Island families touched by ALS and help them to keep their loved ones home throughout the duration of the disease. Hopefully soon we will have a cure, but until then we need to do whatever we can locally to support and assist ALS families.”
A core group of committee members oversaw the event, including Jon Pratt, Dr. Robert Miller, Seth Wilson, George Cooper, Jane Boynton, Sue Dorne, John Soule, Jeff Carter, Bob Rae, and Mike Gemma.
Dozens of local businesses and individuals joined the effort as presenting, platinum, gold, silver, and bronze sponsors, race patrons and donors. WPRI-12 and ABC6 were media sponsors, and Ken Bell emceed the event.
“Judy’s tireless efforts and superb devotion to the ALS cause has led her to not only actively serve on the local ALS Association-RI Chapter Board of Directors for many years, but also to run and recently be elected to The National ALS Association Board of Trustees,” said Feroldi. “We are very proud and deeply grateful to Judy for her many accomplishments on behalf of The ALS Association.”
The chapter will hold its annual “Evening of Hope” event on June 13 in the Garden Pavilion at the Crowne Plaza. For more information, or to volunteer or donate, call the Rhode Island Chapter office at 401-732-1609 or visit www.alsari.org.
