Community members presented a donation from the the TShaw Strong 5K to Beat ALS to members of the Vanderbilt ALS Research Center. (submitted photo)
The Vanderbilt ALS Research Center (VARC) was recently gifted a donation from the TShaw Strong 5K to Beat ALS.
ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and eventual paralysis.
The TShaw Strong 5K to Beat ALS event, now in its second year, is a collaboration between the namesake foundation of Tim Shaw, a former linebacker for the Tennessee Titans who was diagnosed with ALS in 2014, and Stacey Baker, the organizer of the Nashville-based 5K to Beat ALS. Baker and Shaw presented a check for the donation during a recent visit to Vanderbilt Health.
“The Vanderbilt ALS Research Center benefits greatly from the generosity of community members like Stacey and Tim, whose work promoting ALS research has been instrumental in raising both awareness and money for progress in this field,” said Veronique Belzil, PhD, associate professor of Neurology and director of VARC. “We’re grateful for this gift and the opportunities this additional funding will bring to continue our pursuit of a cure for ALS.”
The next fundraising race will be held Sept. 26. Those interested in signing up can visit the race’s website for more information.
