Daughters Of Northfield Man With ALS Organize Fundraising Effort

From Les Turner ALS Foundation: After longtime Northfield resident Bill Hofherr, 65, was diagnosed with ALS, his family, friends and neighbors offered to help. Many will have the opportunity to do their part in the fight against ALS and honor Bill as volunteers in the Tag Days donation drive organized by Bill’s daughters, Mallory Ruh and Caitlin Hofherr. A grassroots fundraising and awareness-building campaign, Tag Days volunteers are stationed at intersections and storefronts collecting donations from people who pass by and helping to increase awareness of ALS. The Northfield Tag Days drive will be held on May 3 and 4, and is one of 12 community drives in Chicagoland taking place in May, National ALS Awareness Month.

Bill underwent knee surgery in 2016, and struggled for more than a year to regain strength and mobility. After trying various treatments, including physical therapy and exercise, he sought advice from physicians and eventually a neurologist. On April 4, 2018, Bill was diagnosed with ALS. Today, while the disease is progressing slowly, Bill’s left leg is continuing to weaken and he relies on a cane and ankle brace for strength and stability. He receives medical care at the Les Turner ALS Center at Northwestern Medicine and receives home visits from the Les Turner ALS Foundation’s Support Services Team.

“Our parents have often expressed that no one knows what life will bring, and therefore it’s important to live in the moment and appreciate those around you,” said Caitlin. “We’ve always been a close-knit family and my dad’s diagnosis has brought us even closer. He is still working and enjoying his independence, but we assist with some everyday activities, such as driving him to his downtown office to ensure his safety and spend quality time with him.”

Last year, only weeks after Bill was diagnosed with ALS, Mallory was driving through Glenview and saw the Les Turner ALS Foundation’s volunteers collecting donations as part of the community Tag Days drive. It was too late to organize Tag Days in her hometown of Northfield and the reality of the diagnosis was still setting in for the family, but Mallory knew she wanted to get involved at a later date.

“We want to support the Les Turner ALS Foundation and also educate people about ALS,” said Caitlin. “With greater awareness and more funding for care and research, the medical community can continue to make measurable strides that will impact our dad’s life and others living with this cruel disease.”

Tag Days drives require only a few supplies and many dedicated volunteers, which enables the Les Turner ALS Foundation to invest a high percentage of proceeds directly into critical services that benefit the ALS community. Since 1994, thousands of volunteers have participated in Tag Days and more than $1.5 million has been raised through this community effort.

Mallory and Caitlin will place volunteers at intersections, in front of their brother’s shop, Hofherr Meat Company, and other locations. To volunteer for the Northfield Tag Days drive, contact Mallory and malloryruh@gmail.com.