For the ALS Association, the Walk to Defeat ALS was the biggest event of the year. 

Amber Clark, the Jonesboro Coordinator for the ALS Association, said it was critical the events raise the amount of money needed to continue providing grants, equipment loans, virtual and in-person support, advocacy and research to those with ALS. 

ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, affects the nervous system. It causes loss of muscle control and gets worse over time. 

“We benefited from the ALS organization. Advocates here are super helpful,” said Megan Lane, who lost her mother, Melonie Smelser, to ALS a few years ago.

Each year, the ALS Association hosts three Walks to Defeat ALS. The Walk originally started for the Arkansas chapter of the ALS Association in 2006 in northwest Arkansas but has now evolved into traveling all over the state.

This was the second Walk in Jonesboro and the first one on campus. 

Clark said this was the biggest turnout yet for a Jonesboro ALS event. 

“It is really amazing how much it has grown,” Clark said. “We walk today to defeat ALS tomorrow.”

One of the many groups that walked was the Community of Christ Church led by Joan Primm. They walked in memory of Will Minor, who died May 10. 

The ALS Association provided assistance to Minor and his partner, Steve Nelson. The pair were together for 46 years.

The Brasher Brigade walked in memory of Phillip Brasher, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2013 and died in 2021. This was the fifth Walk for the group, with family and friends banding together to raise money for the Association, whether it be by grilling out, or by lending a hand.

Carly Porter, Brasher’s daughter, said the ALS Association helped a lot, as the family “definitely benefited from the loan closets.” 

Loan closets are a specific type of loaning service, where individuals can borrow equipment and resources needed to manage ALS, without having to pay the full price.

Porter added how the support group services were helpful. Brasher was also a familiar face for Arkansas State University, as his last job was the installation of the football field’s water fountain.

Jammin’ with Philzo also participated, with their group raising over $35,000 for the ALS Association. 

Phillip Jackson, the retired president of the ASU System Foundation, was diagnosed with ALS in December 2021. 

Since then, family and friends have banded together, with Nicole Frey, his successor at the ASU System Foundation, and the rest of his old staff, taking on the symbol of massive inflatable dinosaurs to “catch people’s eye,” said Melissa Livingston, assistant to the foundation president.

Jackson said the ALS Association provides useful resources for people with the disease.

 “ALS takes a different path with everybody,” Jackson said. “There is hope for a greater awareness for a rare disease, but it doesn’t look very rare when I look around today.”

Jackson was this Walk’s Champion of Hope. He gave out certificates for helping him raise money and cut the giant ribbon under the Arch, signifying the beginning of the walk. He proceeded to lead the walk around campus.

There were many more groups who were walking in support of loved ones. With brightly colored shirts, balloons, inflatable dinosaurs, face paint, bounce houses, and smiling faces running about, it created a sense of community for those affected by ALS.

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