Edmonds came out to support Councilmember Peggy Pritchard Olson Sat. 27 at the ALS Association’s Walk to Defeat ALS at Seattle’s Seward Park.
Olson was diagnosed earlier this year with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The disease is commonly known as “Lou Gehrig’s disease.”
Decked out in red T-shirts, red wristbands and red-hearted “Edmonds Loves Peggy” buttons, Olson’s supporters helped crowd the record-breaking walk, officials said.
More than 660 people participated in the walk, and more than $120,000 was raised, said Robin Hartman, the development director for the ALS Association’s Evergreen Chapter.
The association is hoping to raise $492,000 this year for patient services and research.
Team Peggy was omnipresent during the walk.
Not just the walk’s largest contingent, Team Peggy was also its most decorated.
“It was amazing to have all those people there walking not only for me but also for ALS,” Peggy said after the event. “I am blessed to have so many great friends.”
Peggy’s supporters won the Golden Tennis Shoe Award for raising the most money and the Golden Tennis Shoe Award for having the largest team.
Olson herself won an award for having the best decorated chair at the walk, and one of her sorority sisters won an award for bringing the best decorated dog, according to Team Peggy member Pat Greenstreet.
“The best part was the outpouring of love and support for Peggy,” Greenstreet said in an e-mail.
ALS is a degenerative neurological disease that isn’t well understood, but is often fatal, according to the ALS Association.
The mind is unaffected, but muscles in the body deteriorate. Diagnosed in April, Olson has been using a cane for walking for months, and now has difficulty speaking.
The disease strikes about 5,000 Americans each year, according to the ALS Association.
Reporter Chris Fyall: 425-673-6525 or cfyall@heraldnet.com
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