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West Coast Skydive for YFALS

April 14, 2012 @ Skydance Skydiving
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Family and friends cheer and wave as Hale's plane pulls away towards the runway.<br /> <br /> Photo by Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, JRSD Photography
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Family and friends cheer and wave as Hale's plane pulls away towards the runway.

Photo by Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, JRSD Photography

YFALSSkydance Skydiving

  • San Jose resident Gloria Hale is diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). More commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, ALS is a terminal illness that affects the motor neurons, gradually robbing the body of its ability to independently move, speak, eat, or breathe. Dependent upon a wheelchair for mobility, Hale has lost much of her body's movement and speech.<br /> <br /> There is no effective treatment for ALS. There is no cure.<br /> <br /> In an effort to raise awareness of this disease -- as well as funds for ALS Therapy Development Institute -- Hale organized a skydiving fundraiser, jumping from an airplane 13,000 feet in the sky along with fellow Bay Area ALS patient Juri Kameda and eight of their friends and family.<br /> <br /> Here, Hale prepares for her jump, suited up and surrounded by friends and family. Written on her face in red is "KISS MY ALS."<br /> <br /> Photo by Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, JRSD Photography
  • Jumpers dove in tandem with divers from Skydance Skydiving in Davis, CA.<br /> <br /> Photo by Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, JRSD Photography
  • Photo by Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, JRSD Photography
  • Hale's husband Don (right) and other family members help lift her to a standing position as she is suited up and harnessed in preparation for her jump.<br /> <br /> Photo by Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, JRSD Photography
  • Photo by Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, JRSD Photography
  • Posing for pictures before the big jump.<br /> <br /> Photo by Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, JRSD Photography
  • Getting ready to board the plane.<br /> <br /> Photo by Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, JRSD Photography
  • Suited up, on board, and ready to go.<br /> <br /> Photo by Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, JRSD Photography
  • Family and friends cheer and wave as Hale's plane pulls away towards the runway.<br /> <br /> Photo by Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, JRSD Photography
  • Photo by Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, JRSD Photography
  • Photo by Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, JRSD Photography
  • Hale minutes after landing.<br /> <br /> Photo by Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, JRSD Photography
  • Hale minutes after landing.<br /> <br /> Photo by Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, JRSD Photography
  • Photo by Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, JRSD Photography
  • Juri Kameda (left), a Menlo Park resident who is diagnosed with ALS, is scheduled for surgery to install a feeding tube and catheter the week following her jump. A mother of two and a former respiratory therapist, Kameda met Hale in an ALS Association support group and agreed to jump out of a plane with her to raise awareness about ALS -- and also just for the joy of flying.<br /> <br /> Photo by Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, JRSD Photography
  • With decreasing ability to complete activities of daily living like feeding or dressing herself, Kameda has become dependent upon a number of pieces of medical equipment, support from family and caregivers, and the assistance of guide dog Galvin, who can help her with many basic tasks.<br /> <br /> Photo by Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, JRSD Photography
  • Photo by Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, JRSD Photography
  • Kameda's face reads, "CURE ALS."<br /> <br /> Photo by Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, JRSD Photography
  • Kameda is helped to her feet and suited up for her jump.<br /> <br /> Photo by Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, JRSD Photography
  • Photo by Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, JRSD Photography
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