Man trains hard to help find cure for ALS
Brigance Brigade race takes place Sunday
There hasn't been much progress for patients diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, but one man hopes to change that.
For years, Todd Jennings has been raising money to find a cure, and he hopes others will, too. He spends roughly 25 hours a week in a gym training for Ironman Triathlon events.
"An Ironman is a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and a 26.2-mile marathon," Jennings said.
It's a far cry from where he was seven years ago.
"I was 20 pounds overweight, sitting on the couch," Jennings said.
It was on his couch that his life changed forever.
"I was watching TV, and I happened to come across the Ironman. They have a story of a man, Jon Blais," Jennings said.
Blais was the first person with ALS to complete the Ironman.
"I sat back and was so inspired and reflecting my own life about what I was doing to give back to the local community, to set some type of, leave a legacy, and to teach my children what's important in life," Jennings said.
Jennings started training and raising money, and he eventually met former Baltimore Raven O.J. Brigance, who was diagnosed with ALS nine years ago. They forged a friendship and Jennings was hooked on raising money to find a cure.
"It inspires me every day to continue to be an advocate for ALS, to be a voice for all the folks living with ALS that maybe can't do what I still have the God-given ability to do," Jennings said.
One of the first steps is the Brigance Brigade, which raises money for ALS research and resources for patients. Jennings runs in the race every year, but for a different kind of finish line.
"Hopefully, one day in my lifetime, we'll hear the words that 'I'm an ALS survivor,'" Jennings said.
Besides the 5.7K run, there are different races Sunday. Run with Mindy Basara and Megan Pringle, tap here for more information
