Community Corner
Virtual Race for ALS Raises $23,000 for Emory ALS Center
14th annual Fiesta 5k Challenge had participants all across the globe.
For the first time in 14 years, the Fiesta 5k Challenge, benefiting Emory ALS Center, did not take place on a Saturday in Cumming, GA. Instead, 400 runners and walkers participated, either individually or in small groups, in a VIRTUAL race during the week of April 18-25, 2020. Once they completed their 3.1 mile run (or walk), participants posted their photos and videos in the Facebook Group @Fiesta5kVIRTUAL and were able to connect online to congratulate each other and share the reasons why they took part in the fundraiser. It is part of the ALS Race for a Cure Series.
“This annual event is a major fundraiser for the Emory ALS Center and the research team counts on the funds it generates. Once it was evident that we would not be able to host our event publicly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to get creative. We decided on March 30, 2020 to go virtual,” says Karen Duffy, Race Director. “With the help of our timing company, On Time Results, we switched the currently registered participants to virtual runners and spread the word to get as many people to participate as possible. We relied heavily on social media to get the word out and build excitement.”
While donations and fundraising were understandably lower this year, the support from the event sponsors:
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- Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team – Presenting Sponsor
- National Distributing Company
- Country Charm Eggs
- MECO of Atlanta
- North GA Running Co.
and those who entered the race (some from as far as Portugal!), $23,000 was raised for the Emory ALS Center.
“It was sad that we couldn’t all be together, but the entire week of the virtual race was so much fun. People posted pictures and videos every day and the ALS stories they shared were very touching. We feel so fortunate to have had such a great response,” reflects Karen. Next year’s race, the 15th annual Fiesta 5k Challenge, is scheduled for April 24, 2021.
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ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a universally fatal neuromuscular disease that can strike anyone without warning. It takes away the ability to move, speak, swallow, and ultimately breathe and the average life span after diagnosis is 2 to 5 years. There are approximately 50,000 people in the U.S. are living with ALS; over 500 are in Georgia.
