Coming up on February 24, 2013, for the second time in less than six months, Team Gleason will complete 13.1 miles in a marathon. This time around it's The Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Marathon and Half Marathon which supports Team Gleason - and so can you.
Team Gleason is represented by former New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason, and his brother-in-law Vinnie Varisco. Gleason was diagnosed with ALS, a neuro-muscular disease, in 2011, and has since created The Gleason Initiative Foundation. With his organization, Steve Gleason works to help provide services, cutting-edge technology, and equipment for those who are also dealing with muscular diseases or injuries, and raises public awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or "ALS," by providing and documenting life adventures for individuals with muscular conditions.
For the races that Team Gleason participates in, Varisco runs and pushes Gleason in a customized wheelchair. Normally, Varisco could run a half-marathon alone in about 90 minutes - which is pretty impressive, but for "Team Gleason's" first race back in October of 2012 the 13.1 miles were completed in just under two hours - which is also a stellar feat. “It’s more difficult. But again, it’s all relative," explains Varisco in regards to running whilst pushing the wheelchair. “Very rarely will you hear me or anyone around Steve complaining about something being difficult when you see what he goes through on a daily basis.”
Team Gleason's goal for the Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Marathon is $30,000 - let's help Team Gleason reach their goal, and help those suffering with ALS. Click here for more information and to make a donation.
For more information on ALS please click here, and to learn more about the Rock 'n' Roll Marthon and Half-Marathon click here.
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