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West Coast Skydive for YFALS

April 14, 2012 @ Skydance Skydiving
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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 />
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Photo by Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, JRSD Photography
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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.

There is no effective treatment for ALS. There is no cure.

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.

Here, Hale prepares for her jump, suited up and surrounded by friends and family. Written on her face in red is "KISS MY ALS."

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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