Supporters walk for ALS cure at Burlington waterfront

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - More than 250 people walked along the Burlington waterfront Saturday in hope of a cure for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Burlington's Walk to Defeat ALS raised more than $96,000 at Oakledge Park, making it the organization's biggest year yet.

The day featured testimonies from those with the disease about how important it is to access effective treatments, delay harms of the disease, and work toward a cure. In homage to the ALS ice bucket challenge, which has raised millions for research, walkers doused themselves with water from Lake Champlain.

For those diagnosed with ALS, the walk shows the support of the local community. "It means more people sharing, it means more people bringing awareness, it means more funding for treatments and a cure, and it just means everything," said ALS Walk Ambassador Nancy Luke

The money raised from the walk will go to provide support services here in Vermont.