Central Valley ALS walk raises more than $80K

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- There were no ice buckets but hundreds of people took to the streets of Northeast Fresno to raise money and awareness for ALS.

The annual Central Valley Walk to Defeat ALS was held on Saturday. More than 700 people headed to Copper River Ranch to embark on the two-mile walk. Organizers say the Ice Bucket Challenge that swept the nation to raise money for research of Lou Gehrig's disease boosted this year's event.

The money raised supports the ALS Association Golden West Chapter. Researchers say the fundraiser makes a big impact on helping them find a cure.

"There's never been a time before where as many discoveries are coming out so quickly as they are now in ALS," said Jeffrey Rosenfeld with UCSF Fresno. "We have some very exciting recent genetic discoveries which are highlighting some new mechanisms for why motor cells die in this disease."

More than $80,000 was raised at this year's ALS walk.

For more information about ALS, services for those facing the disease or how you can help, visit www.alsagoldenwest.org.