It was more than a year before doctors could explain to Mark Baldi why he was having trouble walking and felt an odd “buzzing” sensation in his knee.
After 18 months of testing, Baldi was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, in October 1999 at age 37.
Though Baldi lost the use of his arms and legs, he was able to live independently with a few home modifications and the support of his family. Baldi continued working as a recording engineer until he succumbed to ALS in July 2002. He left behind two children, Luke and Emma, now 17 and 14, respectively.
“Mark never complained or asked ‘Why me?’” says his mother, Carmel. “He bore the disease with dignity.”
Over the years the Baldi family has been actively involved in raising awareness and funds for ALS. They and their team, “Mark’s Irish Roamers,” participate yearly in the Toronto WALK for ALS, taking place at Wilket Creek Park on June 6th at 8:30 a.m.
Now in its ninth year, the WALK for ALS is the ALS Society of Ontario’s signature event and largest annual fundraiser. In 2008, more than 5,000 participants raised $1.15 million. Seventy per cent of the proceeds fund the province’s equipment and support services programs, while the remaining 30 per cent funds research towards a cure. In 2008, Toronto raised more than $120,000. Toronto is one of seven locations in the GTA and 28 across Ontario holding walks this year.
“The ALS Society of Ontario’s goal is to help ease the physical, emotional and financial burdens ALS creates,” says Maureen Sheahan, President & CEO, ALS Society of Ontario. “With the help of volunteers and supporters across the province, we’ve grown the WALK for ALS into our most successful and anticipated event. We ask the public to help us continue this success story in 2009.”
For more information, or to support the walk, visit www.walkforals.ca.
ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a fatal and rapidly progressive neuromuscular disease affecting more than 1,000 Ontarians and their families. There is no cure or effective treatment. Eighty per cent of those affected die within two to five years of diagnosis. The ALS Society of Ontario is a non-profit organization committed to providing equipment and support services to increase quality of life and provide independence, dignity, hope and choice to people with ALS.
