Jim Weber and Peter Moe have a lot in common. They're passionate about hunting, fishing, being with their families, and finding a cure for the horrific disease they're battling.
"The average person who gets ALS, it's really a three to five year death sentence," said Weber.
"I'm a realist," Moe said. "I have it. It is what it is. I'm going to get everything out of life while I have it, but I hate to see it affect the ones you care about."
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, destroys neurons in the brain and spinal cord that control a person's ability to move, speak, swallow, and breathe.
"It's definitely a disease that slowly will rob you of all of your things that you're familiar with, you know with feeding, bathing, doing things for yourself," Weber explained.
Despite the 100% fatality rate, both men choose to remain positive.
Moe always tells his family, "No feeling sorry. No negative. I mean that's just wasted energy. I don't have the time for that."
Weber, who has several family members fighting the disease, and Mo have organized large teams to participate in the Walk to Defeat ALS at Memorial Park in Appleton. The money raised will help patients in Wisconsin as well as fund research for treatments and, ideally, a cure.
"They know what gene mutates. Now, they just have to figure out as far as what causes that gene to mutate," Weber explained.
With hope on the horizon, these two courageous men encourage you to join them Saturday morning to help stomp out ALS 150 years after it was first identified.
"The more we can get the word out there, the more funds we can raise, better research can be done, and we can fix this nasty disease," said Moe.
