Eastwood Mall, Scrappers Team Up in Fight Against ALS

NILES, Ohio – Eastwood Mall and the Mahoning Valley Scrappers are teaming up in the battle against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a disease that takes the lives of thousands of Americans every year. 

The Walk & Rally to Defeat ALS event will kick off at noon Sunday at the Eastwood Event Centre. Walking teams that have been raising donations will take a 1-mile walk inside the Eastwood Mall concourses. Then they will be able to continue to Eastwood Field, where the participants will be honored for their contributions to the ALS Association and commemorate Lou Gehrig Day before the Scrappers’ game against the Frederick Keys at 2 p.m. Gates will open at 1 p.m.

In addition to funds raised by the event’s teams, the Cafaro Foundation has donated $5,000 to the organization in honor of 30-year former employee Leslie Sok, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2022. Sok retired after her diagnosis and continues to battle the disease. Teams of Cafaro employees raising money for the effort are named Leslie’s ALStars.

To participate, register a team or make a donation, click HERE.

The ALS Association uses funds to provide support for families of those living with the disease, including equipment loans, support groups and patient advocates.

Every 90 minutes, someone is diagnosed with ALS and someone dies from it, according to the ALS Association. Most who develop ALS are between 40 and 70 years old, and 90% have no known family history or genetic cause.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.