On Saturday, September 24th from 9:30-10:30 am, Millburn’s Align Wellness Studio will be hosting a special Pilates class to raise funds for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), in honor of one of their inspirational clients — Beth Hebron of Maplewood.
According to The ALS Association, ALS is “a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.” The fatal disease causes muscle weakness, paralysis and eventual respiratory failure. Every 90 minutes, someone dies of ALS. At the same time, someone else is diagnosed. ALS can strike anyone, anywhere, at any age.
(Several local residents and their family members have recently dealt with ALS; read more about them in Village Green articles here, here and here.)
Hebron’s story is featured in a recent episode of VICE on HBO. Before her diagnosis, Hebron said in the episode, she would describe her life as “very active.” Growing up, she was a competitive gymnast where she was taught the value of working hard to reach her goals: “I was taught that if I thought hard enough and I worked hard enough I could do anything.”
But after being diagnosed two years ago, she was forced upon a new realization: “Now it doesn’t matter how bad I want it. It’s not going to help me and it’s not going to change what’s happening to my body.”
Though conversation and understanding about ALS have greatly increased in the last few years, there is still not a cure for the disease. While some clinical trials are available with hope for effective treatment, many are outside the exclusion criteria and must find other ways to keep their bodies as healthy as possible.
Beth began working with Gwen Vigorito at Align in order to maintain strength, mobility, function and mind body connection. She is an inspiration to those at the studio and has consequently prompted Align to join the fight against ALS. 100% of the proceeds raised from the class will be donated to the ALS Therapy Development Institute.
Registration is open on Align’s website here. If you are unable to attend but still wish to donate to help the fight against ALS, you can make a donation.
Saturday, September 24th
9:30 AM-10:30 AM
Align Wellness Studio
