Sunflowers For Jeffy- Events
The theme for this year’s ALS Awareness Month is “Freeze ALS.” The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was an unprecedented worldwide phenomenon. It is our chance to keep this momentum going strong with the goal of helping cure ALS. People living with ALS, their families and friends are fighting daily to raise awareness of this disease. This year, with your help, we can keep the attention on ALS so people understand the ALS battle is a daily fight.
Living without ALS
As a huge baseball fan Jeff Arison knew exactly who Lou Gehrig was, but nothing about ALS. Before ALS, Jeff enjoyed spending time with friends and family, exploring new restaurants and staying up-to-date on his favorite sports – baseball, football and hockey. Before moving to Illinois to be closer to family, Jeff lived in Florida.
Living with ALS
Jeff continues to actively raise awareness of ALS. He has been invited to share his story through various media outlets with the intention to educate, inspire and help others. Yet, he finds it challenging to try to live in the present and not worry about what could happen with the “what ifs.” He also shares his experience with other PALS through social media forums.
Living with Hope
Today, Jeff remains hopeful that a cure will be discovered for ALS. For him the ice sculptures are a way to continue the momentum from the successful Ice Bucket Challenge in order to find a cure. He believes they will provide hope, dignity and inspire others each day.
“I am still Jeff. My abilities may have drastically changed, but I still have the same heart and mind.”
http://www.lesturnerals.org/about-the-foundation/als-awareness-month1/
Living without ALS
As a huge baseball fan Jeff Arison knew exactly who Lou Gehrig was, but nothing about ALS. Before ALS, Jeff enjoyed spending time with friends and family, exploring new restaurants and staying up-to-date on his favorite sports – baseball, football and hockey. Before moving to Illinois to be closer to family, Jeff lived in Florida.
Living with ALS
Jeff continues to actively raise awareness of ALS. He has been invited to share his story through various media outlets with the intention to educate, inspire and help others. Yet, he finds it challenging to try to live in the present and not worry about what could happen with the “what ifs.” He also shares his experience with other PALS through social media forums.
Living with Hope
Today, Jeff remains hopeful that a cure will be discovered for ALS. For him the ice sculptures are a way to continue the momentum from the successful Ice Bucket Challenge in order to find a cure. He believes they will provide hope, dignity and inspire others each day.
“I am still Jeff. My abilities may have drastically changed, but I still have the same heart and mind.”
http://www.lesturnerals.org/about-the-foundation/als-awareness-month1/
The ALS Florida Chapter featured Jeff in their ALS Access Publication in December 2014. The ALS Florida Chapter offers small monetary grants for pALS (patients with ALS). It is our hope that with increased awareness, the ALS Chapters in all states will receive more funding to continue to assist pALS and their families.
October 11, 2014 Jeff was invited to an advanced screening of the movie "You're Not You". If you have not had the opportunity to view this movie, please catch it on demand. It is an amazing movie with Josh Duhamel and Hillary Swank that illustrates living with ALS. Jeff's new buddy, Paul Guzzo, reporter at the Tampa Tribune wrote a beautiful article. Take a look here: http://tbo.com/health/drama-on-als-picks-up-where-ice-bucket-challenge-left-off-20141011/ |
August 15, 2015, Jeff was asked to be the Ambassador of the Born to Ride Trilogy Party at the Green Iguana in Brandon, FL. This was such a cool opportunity for Jeff because he was a manager at the Green Iguana for several years prior to his ALS diagnosis. On this day, Jeff met many amazing men and women and is very grateful for the opportunity to share his story and make new friends!
http://borntoride.com/ |
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On July 26th, 2014 Bobby Lewis from news channel 10 in Tampa, FL interviewed Jeff about his journey with ALS. He featured the Sunflower bracelets and shared with our community our desire as a family to raise awareness and to find a cure for ALS.
Take a look: http://www.wtsp.com/story/news/local/2014/07/26/gulfport-family-selling-sunflower-bracelets-to-fight-lou-gherigs-disease/13217137/ |
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On September 28, 2013, the Northwest Herald in Crystal Lake, IL featured an article about Jeff's story with living with ALS. Jeff is a former CL south HS football player, and this story highlighted his past, ties to the CL community and highlighted Jeff's positive attitude as he "lives in the positive".
Read more: http://www.nwherald.com/2013/09/24/ex-crystal-lake-south-football-player-jeff-arison-wont-surrender-to-disease/a504flm/ |
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