Team Shirat Devorah 2019

Team Shirat Devorah's aim is to raise money for the expenses that come along with Devorah Schochet's diagnosis of ALS, among others in the Jewish community. It also helps fund research at ALS TDI (Therapy Develpment Institute) in the hopes of finally finding a cure for ALS.

This year on March 15th, 2019, we will run, walk or crawl for all those out there who are afflicted with this terrible disease.

My beautiful and amazing sister, Devorah, received the devastating news that she has ALS on February 13, 2013. ALS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease), is a rapidly progressive, invariably fatal neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. That includes the muscle action we are able to control, such as those in the arms, legs, and face. Devorah was given 2-4 years to live.  

Devorah is 44 years old and a mother to four children ages 11-22.Devorah's body has begun to degenerate, and tasks that you and I take for granted are now insurmountable challenges for her.  About a year ago, she got a tracheotomy and now that is the only way that she can breathe.

Devorah struggles with everyday functions and is facing a terrible disease, yet she still manages to inspire countless people and make them laugh. You can see how she does that by reading her blog at: http://shirat-devorah.com/  

All of the things that are happening to Devorah's body are horrifying. What is even more horrifying is that Devorah and her family have seen this all before. Our mother, Miriam Cooper, died eleven years ago of ALS. The way that Devorah's muscles are degenerating seems eerily familiar. I don't think I ever really understood what déjà vu meant until now. Please help Devorah, her amazingly supportive husband, and their four wonderful kids somehow get through this in the best way possible, and please help put an end to this terrible disease!

Devorah is a fighter! She has made it almost 6 years living with a disease that no one should even live one day with. Let's help her continue to fight and kick ALS's butt!

Shirat Devorah is an organization founded shortly after Devorah’s diagnosis, to provide much needed support to Devorah and her family. Over these past few difficult years, funds raised through Shirat Devorah provided Devorah with vital medical care and equipment, and were used to rebuild her home (which had been destroyed during Hurricane Sandy), in the process making it fully handicapped accessible. Today, as Devorah’s condition continues to worsen, funds raised provide additional financial support for her family, which dedicates much of their energy to her full-time care. Additionally, all funds raised go to others from the Jewish community worldwide who suffer from the devastation caused by ALS and helps fund groudbreaking research that can hopefully find a cure one day soon.