HAVERFORD, Pa. – Haverford College athletics is sponsoring an Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Week beginning April 21. The week will feature a variety of on-campus events aimed to raise awareness about ALS culminating with the seventh annual Joe Schwartz 3K run/walk which will take place on Sunday, April 27.
Synergy Sports and Corrective Massage starts off the week by providing free evaluation and treatment sessions in the Fitness Center on Tuesday between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Anyone who has already registered for the Joe Schwartz 3K is eligible to sign up through strength and conditioning coach Cory Walts for a session with Synergy.
The Haverford community will have an opportunity to learn about the disease that is ALS and where the donated funds are going through patient and staff speakers provided by the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the ALS Association on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. in Stokes Auditorium. Tony Heyl, the Communication and Public Policy Manager for the organization, who manages state and national lobbying efforts to give ALS families a voice in patient care in research, will be joined by the Events Director at the ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter, Allison Walker. Having worked for the organization for over 11 years, Walker and her staff are responsible for planning and executing the Chapter fundraising events including the Walk to Defeat ALS program which raised $1.6 million in 2013.
Also on Wednesday, Synergy Massage will offer additional sessions in the Fitness Center from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. while coach Jackie Cox will lead a one-hour yoga session on Founders Green beginning at 6 p.m.
Community members will have an additional opportunity to sign up for the Joe Schwartz 3K on Thursday night between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. in Sunken Lounge of the Dining Center. Anyone registered for the race will have an opportunity to arm wrestle a Haverford celebrity for prizes.
The Culinary House will provide a free lunch on Ryan Gym porch from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday for all those registered for Sunday’s Run/Walk.
The week draws to a close on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. with the Joe Schwartz ’83 Memorial Run/Walk. The event, in its seventh year of existence, has successfully integrated the entire campus community through the goal of building healthier habits while raising awareness and funding for ALS research.
The Joe Schwartz 3K will begin and end at Founders Green for the second consecutive year. Post-race activities include music, games, Kids Fun Run and barbecue. Do not miss the opportunity to be a part of the community gathering for a great cause by registering today.