Swim The English Channel to Defeat ALS

This is pretty cool...

I'm writing to you because I hope will will help spread the word about a remarkable man taking on a remarkable effort for the benefit of ALS research .....

In August, Doug McConnell, 53, of Barrington, Ill, will attempt to become the 48th person over the age of 50 to successfully cross the temperamental English Channel. He will be swimming more than 21 grueling miles in memory of his father who passed away from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). Doug is using this epic effort to educate the public about ALS and raise funds for medical research at Northwestern University ’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

McConnell truly loves swimming and appreciates physical challenges. As a child, during a family vacation to England, he saw the Channel and thought to himself that one day he'd swim across the busy waterway. He and friend Don Macdonald committed to this endurance challenge and have been training for this event for approximately two years.

In late 2009, Doug developed a medical setback – a severely herniated disc between two cervical vertebrae, resulting in the loss of all use of his left arm. After physical therapy and other unsuccessful treatments, Doug underwent a cervical disc replacement procedure. The surgery was successful. Today, Doug has regained strength in his arm and the ability to move his neck to breathe while swimming, and he swims without pain. This was not enough to stop Doug's pursuit of his dream.

Medtronic, the manufacturer of the disc that was implanted into Doug's body, has pledged up to $50,000 in support of Doug's efforts. He is well on his way to raising a significant amount of money.

We hope you will post the press release on your blog. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or if you need additional information.

Regards,

Beth Richman
Les Turner ALS Foundation
773-252-3069