About Charlie Wedemeyer High School All Star Game
Ticket Sales
To purchase tickets online, Click the QR code above or press the links on the opening page.
SCHOOLS AND COACHES
NORTH and SOUTH ALL STAR SCHOOLS
NORTH and SOUTH ALL STAR SCHOOLS
NORTH and SOUTH ALL STAR SCHOOLS
NORTH ALL STAR SCHOOLS
Branham
Cupertino
Del Mar
Fremont
Gunn
Homestead
Leigh
Los Altos
Los Gatos
Lynbrook
Milpitas
Mitty
Monta Vista
Mtn View
Palo Alto
Prospect
Santa Clara
Saratoga
St Francis
The Kings Academy
Westmont
Wilcox
SOUTH ALL STAR SCHOOLS
Andrew Hill
Bellarmine
Christop
NORTH ALL STAR SCHOOLS
Branham
Cupertino
Del Mar
Fremont
Gunn
Homestead
Leigh
Los Altos
Los Gatos
Lynbrook
Milpitas
Mitty
Monta Vista
Mtn View
Palo Alto
Prospect
Santa Clara
Saratoga
St Francis
The Kings Academy
Westmont
Wilcox
SOUTH ALL STAR SCHOOLS
Andrew Hill
Bellarmine
Christopher
Evergreen
Gilroy
Gunderson
Independence
James Lick
Leland
Lincoln
Live Oak
Mount Pleasant
Oak Grove
Overfelt
Piedmont Hills
Pioneer
San Jose
Santa Teresa
Silver Creek
Sobrato
Valley Christian
Willow Glen
Yerba Buena
NORTH COACHING STAFF
NORTH and SOUTH ALL STAR SCHOOLS
NORTH and SOUTH ALL STAR SCHOOLS
NORTH HEAD COACH
Danny Sullivan-Mitty
Sullivan is a graduate of Los Gatos (class of 2006) and Arizona State (class of 2010) where he played quarterback at both schools during his time.
An alumni of the 2006 Wedemeyer All Star Game and MVP of the SCVAL De Anza, was a part of the 2005 CCS Championship team at Los Gatos under Butch Cattolic
NORTH HEAD COACH
Danny Sullivan-Mitty
Sullivan is a graduate of Los Gatos (class of 2006) and Arizona State (class of 2010) where he played quarterback at both schools during his time.
An alumni of the 2006 Wedemeyer All Star Game and MVP of the SCVAL De Anza, was a part of the 2005 CCS Championship team at Los Gatos under Butch Cattolico.
Coached QB’s at Los Gatos from 2010-2015. Head Coach at Palo Alto from 2016-2017. QB Coach and Offensive Coordinator at Archbishop Mitty from 2018-2019. Head Coach at Archbishop Mitty since 2020.
2022 Coach of the Year by Bay Area News Group and West Coast Preps.
A part of CCS Championship teams in 2011 and 2013 as a coach. Reached the Division 1 Finals with Archbishop Mitty in 2022.
Assistant Coaches
Vito Cangemi - Special Teams
- Vito brings a ton of experience in the game, especially in the kicking department. A graduate of Leigh High School, he spent time kicking at New Mexico State and Cal State Hayward. He currently coaches at Milpitas High School and works in the real estate industry. A huge Michigan fan means he is thrilled with how the college season ended up!
Daniel Goni - Offensive Line
Dylan Drake - Tight Ends/Offense
- Dylan is currently coaching at Mitty and was first introduced to me during my time at Palo Alto. He is a graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, where he continued to play in college at Yale University. He then spent time playing in Europe for some time before coming back to the states to coach while working at Google.
John Faylor - Defensive Backs
- John is a Mitty alum that went on to play at Santa Clara University. Following his time at SCU, he ended up playing a couple of years for the San Francisco 49ers. He has spent time coaching at Saratoga years ago, and is currently working for the Sereno Group in real estate in the area.
Mason Kimont - Defensive Line
- Mason is currently the head Freshman coach at Mitty and has been on campus for over 20 years, where he also spent time on the Varsity staff previously. He is also the Jazz Band Director and leads the Monarch Pep Band during games in the season. He is also a proud Michigan fan which has resulted in a lot of "Go Blue" going on.
Jack Schweitzer - Wide Receivers
- Jack is a Los Gatos grad and currently is on the staff at Los Gatos. He spent time with me at Palo Alto High School for 2 years and has been at Los Gatos coaching a total of 8 years while specializing on the offensive side of the ball. He has coached soccer in the past and was a CCS Champion coach back in the day.
Steve Sloan - Linebackers
- Steve is currently on the staff with me at Archbishop Mitty and is a Monarch alum as well. Sloan played at UCLA following his days at Mitty from 2007-2011. He will also be calling the defense for the all star game.
Steve Tonelli - Quarterbacks
- Steve is currently on the staff with me at Archbishop Mitty and is also a Monarch alum. Steve has spent many years working on the staff at Mitty and is also a graduate of Saint Mary's where he played football.
SOUTH COACHING STAFF
NORTH and SOUTH ALL STAR SCHOOLS
SOUTH COACHING STAFF
SOUTH HEAD COACH
Darren Yafai-Christopher
The South Head Coach Darren Yafai is an alumni of Gilroy High and Chico State University. He has coached high school football for the last 33 years and is the career wins leader as head coach for Gilroy High Football. As head coach at Christopher High over the last 3 years the Cougars have won 27 g
SOUTH HEAD COACH
Darren Yafai-Christopher
The South Head Coach Darren Yafai is an alumni of Gilroy High and Chico State University. He has coached high school football for the last 33 years and is the career wins leader as head coach for Gilroy High Football. As head coach at Christopher High over the last 3 years the Cougars have won 27 games including a BVAL Mt. Hamilton title, 7 CCS playoff games and 2 CCS finals appearances. Coach Yafai retired as head coach after the season but will still be Bay Area high school football's biggest fan! (Fun Fact; Coach Yafai's last game as a high school football player was in the D1 CCS Finals, against a Los Gatos team led by Charlie Wedemeyer!)
Assistant Coaches (Pioneer)
Eric Perry
Gonzalo Garcia
Trey Johnson
Assistant Coaches (Christopher)
Scot Davis
Aaaron Bembry
Craig Martin
Joel Jimenez
Bobby Bluford
Mark Torres
Your 2024 Charlie Wedemeyer All Star TEAM Rosters!
Congratulations All Stars!
INTRODUCING YOUR NORTH TEAM
School/Player
Branham-Elias Antillon
Branham-Francis Mone
Branham-Brady Edwards
Cupertino-Arvin Hosseini
Del Mar-Andre Latimore
Fremont-Don Martinez
Homestead-Benjamin Ochinero
Kings Academy-Jeaden Underwood
Kings Academy-Lukas Morris
Leigh-Ben Varnell
Leigh-Shayan Shariat
Leigh-Carter Williams
Los Altos-Drew Rafferty
Los Gatos-Jaylen Thomas
Los Gatos-Boxer Kopcsak-Yeung
Los Gatos-Henry Anslinger
Los Gatos-George Charles
Lynbrook-Xueqian Wang
Milpitas-Malachi Jackson
Milpitas-Joseph Russell
Mitty-Cadan Allard
Mitty-AJ Cenizal
Mitty-Tika Reed
Mitty-Talon Salehieh
Mitty-Grant Schmidt
Monta Vista-Nate Diaz
Mt View-Alex Bocchieri
Mt View-Lex Silver
Mt View-Noe Hernandez
Palo Alto-Jason Auzenne
Palo Alto-Jeremiah Madrigal
Prospect-Tommy Lewit
Santa Clara-Jeremiah Karongo
Santa Clara-Kyran Warren
Saratoga-Cooper Call
St Francis-Asher Kolodziej
St Francis-Siaosi Tonga
Westmont-Mason Pound
Westmont-Mason Price
Wilcox-Jeremiah Lewis
Wilcox-Tyson Bonilla
Wilcox-Justin Hylkema
Wilcox-Romeo Castillo
Wilcox-Ri'Yon Cooper
INTRODUCING YOUR SOUTH TEAM
School/Player
Andrew Hill-Dylan Nguyen
Bellarmine-Bennett Anderson
Bellarmine-Parker Threatt
Bellarmine-Josh Aguilar
Bellarmine-Joe Fuqua
Bellarmine-Tom Reilly
Christopher-Amari Bluford
Christopher-William Rizqallah
Christopher-Danny Camilleri
Christopher-Zeke Begines
Evergreen-Noah Holseberg
Gilroy-Tyler Hodges
Gilroy-Nathaniel Neander
Gunderson-Marquise Hall
Independence-Jordan Pagaduan
Independence-Solomon Bocage
James Lick-Malik Martinez
Leland-Diego Vasquez
Lincoln-Raymond Rodriguez
Lincoln-Justin Wietecha
Live Oak-Josh Gagni
Live Oak-Luke Richey
Live Oak-Keaton Dietz
Live Oak-Dariano Garcia
Mt Pleasant-Apollo Braddock
Mt Pleasant-Elijah Brito
Oak Grove-Shaan Lathan
Oak Grove-Aidan Cisneros
Overfelt-John Stowers
Overfelt-Walter Smith
Overfelt-Andrew Cameron
Overfelt-Jeremiah Lara
Piedmont Hills-Dylan Blank
Piedmont Hills-Daniel Ocegueda
Pioneer-Damian Flores
Pioneer-Edgar Orozco
San Jose-Mike Guzman
Santa Teresa-Joseph Tapia
Santa Teresa-Tevita Pekipaki
Silver Creek-Loni Ongolea Jr
Silver Creek-Quinton Headley
Sobrato-Noah Taylor
Sobrato-Jorge Mendoza
Sobrato-Lucas Laisure
Valley Christian-Lovante Metcalfe
Valley Christian-Uchenna Eke
Valley Christian-Kai Hamilton
Willow Glen-Cedano Chavez
Willow Glen-AJ Trevarthen
Yerba Buena-Malachi McCray
About Us
Wedemeyer Family Story
Coaches Against Cancer
Coaches Against Cancer
Born in Hawaii, Charlie grew up youngest of nine children in a very athletic family. His talents on the football field awarded him scholarships to prestigious Punahou Academy and Michigan State University. Named "Prep Player of the Decade" in Hawaii and chosen to two college all star games, East-West Shrine Classic and the Hula Bowl, Cha
Born in Hawaii, Charlie grew up youngest of nine children in a very athletic family. His talents on the football field awarded him scholarships to prestigious Punahou Academy and Michigan State University. Named "Prep Player of the Decade" in Hawaii and chosen to two college all star games, East-West Shrine Classic and the Hula Bowl, Charlie was content with his life. He was an outstanding athlete, had a wonderful family with his wife Lucy, daughter Carri, son Kale, and was a successful coach and teacher in Los Gatos. However, in 1977 his life was forever turned around. He was diagnosed with a terminal illness, ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, and was given one or, at most, three years to live. The nerve cells that control the muscles were dying. The finely tuned athletic body was wasting away. There is no known cause or cure.
"The scoreboard says Charlie Wedemeyer won't win this game. There's no chance for a comeback now, time is running out. There'll be no 'Hail Mary', no immaculate reception. The gun is ready, and when it goes off, death will remain undefeated," wrote one newswriter.
Typical of Charlie's indomitable spirit, despite the impossible odds, he simply refused to give up and accept defeat. As the illness progressed, he could no longer walk, talk or breathe on his own, and he became totally dependent on a respirator. At one point, Charlie's physical body was ready to give up despite his determination. He realized he could no longer struggle and fight this alone without supernatural strength and support. He found this in a new personal relationship with God. Incredibly, by human standards, he was able to continue coaching; and in 1985, his Los Gatos Football Team won the Central Coast Section Championship with Lucy reading his lips and relaying instructions and plays to the assistant coaches and players.
Coaches Against Cancer
Coaches Against Cancer
Coaches Against Cancer
Coaches Against Cancer was founded in 2009 with the mission to raise money and support the research and fight against cancer.
Since its inception, Coaches Against Cancer has raised and donated over $500,000 to the American Cancer and National Brain Tumor Societies and to the recently created "Dream Come True" program. We feel very proud
Coaches Against Cancer was founded in 2009 with the mission to raise money and support the research and fight against cancer.
Since its inception, Coaches Against Cancer has raised and donated over $500,000 to the American Cancer and National Brain Tumor Societies and to the recently created "Dream Come True" program. We feel very proud of our accomplishments thus far, and have decided to continue with our recent "Dream Come True" success.
The Coaches Against Cancer-“Dream Come True” program is not a novel concept, but one that we feel really makes a difference to those battling against cancer and to their families. Honoring the Make A Wish concept, we would like to connect with families that have been affected by cancer to find out if we can provide an experience that truly is a “Dream Come True”.
While our funds are not unlimited, we feel that there will be opportunities when Coaches Against Cancer can help make a difference.
In order to continue our recent success, we need your help! We need you to share this with friends and family as we look to identify those struggling with their fight against cancer.
We are asking that you fill out this form sharing the story of your nominated person or family including ideas that will help make their "Dream Come True".
Stories can be submitted on behalf of someone else or submitted by the person/family, directly.
COACHES AGAINST CANCER
https://www.coaches-against-cancer.com/
JOIN THE "FIGHT"
All Star Game History
Coaches Against Cancer
All Star Game History
Some of the greats that have donned an all star jersey in this very special event are Doug Cosbie (Dallas Cowboys), John Tuggle (New York Giants), Jeff Garcia (SF 49ers), the late Pat Tillman (Arizona Cardinals), Trent Edwards (Buffalo Bills/Oakland Raiders +) and many, many more.
There are 45 players on each team from 46 Bay Area school
Some of the greats that have donned an all star jersey in this very special event are Doug Cosbie (Dallas Cowboys), John Tuggle (New York Giants), Jeff Garcia (SF 49ers), the late Pat Tillman (Arizona Cardinals), Trent Edwards (Buffalo Bills/Oakland Raiders +) and many, many more.
There are 45 players on each team from 46 Bay Area schools, representing the very best players in the county. This years All Star Game will be played at Los Gatos High School on February 5th at 6pm.
Jim Guido has been the lone game chairman of this event for 30+ years "To have seen all of the amazing young men compete in their last high school game over 4 decades has been an unbelievably rewarding experience. Having the game honor Charlie Wedemeyer since 1984 has been a very special part of this event. His story is something everyone should be inspired by." Charlie Wedemeyer was diagnosed with ALS as a young man and given a short time to live. 32 years later, he finally lost his battle. "Never has there been a man who embraced life in the face of extreme odds and positively affected millions of people like Charlie Wedemeyer" Guido remembers.
Feel free to email Mike Carrozzo at
About ALS Golden West Chapter and Real family Stories
About ALS
More families affected
Real Stories of ALS
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a fatal, neurodegenerative illness that
affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.
• The average life expectancy of a person with ALS is two to five years from diagnosis.
• As the disease progresses, people with ALS lose the ability to walk, move, speak, s
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a fatal, neurodegenerative illness that
affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.
• The average life expectancy of a person with ALS is two to five years from diagnosis.
• As the disease progresses, people with ALS lose the ability to walk, move, speak, swallow and,
eventually, to breathe– all while the mind and senses continue to function.
• Every 90 minutes, someone is diagnosed with ALS. Every 90 minutes, someone loses their battle.
• ALS is not contagious and does not discriminate – it affects men and women of all ages, ethnic
backgrounds, and socioeconomic communities around the world.
• Approximately 10% of those diagnosed have a hereditary or familial form of the disease.
• Military veterans are diagnosed with ALS nearly twice as often as the general population.
• Most people with ALS remain at home throughout the course of the disease and managing the
progression of the disease is emotionally, physically and financially draining on families.
• The annual costs for home care, coupled with the cost of necessary equipment (which includes speech,
mobility, transportation, etc.) can exceed $200,000 per year.
• Currently, there is no known cure.
About The ALS Association Golden West Chapter
The mission of The ALS Association is to discover treatments and a cure for ALS, and to serve, advocate for, and
empower people affected by ALS to live their lives to the fullest. Our vision is to create a world without ALS.
The Golden West Chapter serves people with ALS and their families in 31 counties throughout California and in
the state of Hawaii. Everything we do advances the search for effective treatments and cures for ALS.
CHECK OUT OUR UPCOMING EVENTS!
Walk to Defeat ALS – http://walks.alsagoldenwest.org
JT5K- http://jimtracy5k.org
Napa Valley Ride to Defeat ALS and Walk – http://NapaALSRide.org
Connect with us to explore resources, programs, services, advocacy, our community, and events.
For more information about The ALS Association Golden West Chapter, please visit us at
www.alsagoldenwest.org or email us at info@alsagoldenwest.org
Real Stories of ALS
More families affected
Real Stories of ALS
Douglas McNeil - Full spotlight article: http://webgw.alsa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=GW_9_2018_12_7_Spotlight_on_Doug_McNeil&AddInterest=3850
Article snapshot: Throughout his life, Doug McNeil has, literally, brought light to thousands of people around the world. Today, he remains a dedicated advocate with an unshakable commitment to
Douglas McNeil - Full spotlight article: http://webgw.alsa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=GW_9_2018_12_7_Spotlight_on_Doug_McNeil&AddInterest=3850
Article snapshot: Throughout his life, Doug McNeil has, literally, brought light to thousands of people around the world. Today, he remains a dedicated advocate with an unshakable commitment to create positive change, while living with a diagnosis of ALS. Doug began his career at NASA Ames Research Center as an engineering intern. After graduating from San Jose State University with a Bachelors in Science, he joined Lockheed Missiles and Space, working in the Space Systems Division, supporting programs from Hubble Space Telescope, satellite telephone communications, space remote sensing systems, and other special programs. Later he worked at several other large companies, as well as start-ups specializing in a wide range of cutting-edge technologies and executive consulting. But beyond the scope of his impressive resume, the focus of Doug’s passion is his family. He and his wife Sherri are proud parents to two incredible children- Jessica and Matthew. Together, they enjoyed camping, hiking, and many other outdoor activities.“We have a philosophy in our family,” Doug shared, “to commit ourselves to a purposeful and passionate focus on life.”It is this ideal that led to Doug’s profound involvement in civic activities that include youth coaching, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) mentoring, city commissions, community foundations, and several school advisory appointments. In 2012, Doug felt he had truly found his calling when he co-founded, “Lighting for Literacy,” a non-profit humanitarian program promoting education and literacy, with the help of Los Gatos United Methodist Church and Los Gatos Morning Rotary. The program teaches science, sustainability, and community service to local youth in Silicon Valley, while providing a much needed resource to impoverished youth internationally. In 2013, President Barack Obama's "Educate to Innovate" initiative and the White House administration recognized “Lighting for Literacy” as Champions of Change. In June of 2017, after sustaining a concussion from a fall, Doug had to take leave from his work. Shortly afterward, he received the diagnosis of ALS. “Hearing this news about the person who has been your soul mate for forty years is devastating,” Sherri said. By November, he was unable to swallow properly, leading to malnutrition, aspiration, and pneumonia. Doug was rushed to the emergency room just after midnight on January 1, 2018. After a 40-day hospitalization, Doug was faced with the difficult decision and hard reality of permanent incubation and 24 hr care. ”What inspires each of us can provide a model for countless people with ALS. This does not mean that we don't suffer, but we can find meaning through compassion and comfort in helping others,” said Doug. You can join Doug and his family at the Silicon Valley Walk on October 5 at Coyote Point. Register today or make a gift to Team Maverick at SiliconValleyWalktoDefeatALS.org.
Lorene Lee - Full spotlight article: http://webgw.alsa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=GW_12_voiceyourlove_lee
Lorene's Letter snapshot: (She composed this message, using assistive communication technology with a visual-tracking system. Lorene typed the words, one letter at a time, using her eyes.) "In my first attempt to write this letter to you, I had written a few paragraphs on my marriage and life. But later, I got to thinking it sounded just like any other couple, going through the usual everyday problems. The next morning, I was going to change everything. When I got to my device, it was erased. What happened is beyond me. This is a problem I sometimes face with this computer. So I will begin again with what I really want to express. When I was first diagnosed with ALS in 2010, I knew it was going to be serious because of all the different tests I took. So, in a sense, I was prepared for bad news. It was my husband, Tony, that took it so hard. He had lost both his sister and his father earlier that same year, and we were also caring for his 16 year-old niece. It was an unbelievable time in our story. By 2012, I had lost my ability to speak and now rely on a speech-generating device with an eye-tracking system to communicate.I used to say that I am from Venus, and Tony says he isn’t from Mars, he is from Pluto (hahaha)! But after many years of disagreements, misunderstandings, and stupid fights, our bond is stronger than ever. I won’t let ALS come between us. No way! This disease is not for the faint of heart. It’s like we just got past the honeymoon stage and have to start all over, and you are on a roller coaster, with a cliff up ahead. I am one of the “lucky” ones living with ALS, who has surpassed the usual five-year survival rate. ALS is a terrible, awful, deadly disease. Tough, sad, ugly, heartbreaking- yes. A learning experience- YES. I have personally learned big time that hate, despair, loneliness, misunderstanding, and sorrow can be changed by opening your heart through love. Even with acceptance of this illness and all of its challenges, I am STILL learning. With all the challenges of living with ALS, giving my loved ones their due is often fallen by the wayside, especially saying how much deep gratitude and appreciation I feel." You can join Lorene and her family at the Silicon Valley Walk on October 5 at Coyote Point. Register today or make a gift to Lorene's Team at SiliconValleyWalktoDefeatALS.org.
More families affected
More families affected
More families affected
Bill Beaton - Full spotlight article: http://webgw.alsa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=GW_9_2018_09_26_Spotlight_on_Bill_and_Ann_Beaton&AddInterest=3850
Article snapshot: Bill had a long and successful career as a finance executive for several large agriculture firms and his wife Ann worked in the local school district. They had planned
Bill Beaton - Full spotlight article: http://webgw.alsa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=GW_9_2018_09_26_Spotlight_on_Bill_and_Ann_Beaton&AddInterest=3850
Article snapshot: Bill had a long and successful career as a finance executive for several large agriculture firms and his wife Ann worked in the local school district. They had planned their golden years to be filled with the activities they loved; hiking, playing golf, and skiing- something Bill had set a personal goal to be able to do well into his eighties. But life had a different plan for the Beaton family. It was, in fact, during a ski trip that Bill began to notice a change in his body. He was not able to turn as well and his right foot was very cold. “Of course, I chocked this up to the fact he had been shoveling snow in his Sperry top siders!” Ann said. “But a month or so later, Bill developed drop foot in his right foot. We went to a spine surgeon who performed a laminectomy on his back to relieve pressure on his nerves. When this didn't work, he sent us to a neurologist. She suspected ALS, and then we went to UCSF for the formal evaluation.” Upon learning of his diagnosis of ALS in June 2017 at the age 64, Bill’s initial reaction was, “Wait a minute- this is not part of our retirement plan!” Having always been a proactive person, Ann at first welcomed all the pamphlets and informational literature that their Golden West Chapter care manager offered them. “I am a planner, by nature, always looking towards the future and what needs to be accomplished,” she said. “But as I started to learn more, I felt very overwhelmed. Over these several months, I have learned that what works best for us is to take things one day at a time.“ One thing that has stood out for both Bill and Ann during this challenging time is the importance of support. From local medical services, to clinical professionals, from chapter care managers to support groups, the value of this wraparound model of community-based care services has been immeasurable. Through their participation in the Golden West Chapter’s 19th annual East Bay Walk to Defeat ALS, they raised over $22,000 for the ALS community. “My outlook on life is reflected in our family’s motto – It is what it is,” Bill says, “I picked up this phrase at work 20 years ago and started using it. In fact, our entire family started using it. We used it so often, our daughter in law bought us a plaque with the phrase that we keep on the family refrigerator. It reminds us that for whatever life throws our way to not worry about it and to make the best of the situation. If you worry, you suffer twice." You can join the East Bay Walk on November 2 in Walnut Creek. Register today or make a gift at EastBayWalktoDefeatALS.org.
Miles McConnell - Full spotlight article: http://webgw.alsa.org/site/PageServer/?pagename=GW_9_2018_08_30_Spotlight_MIles_McConnell_Dubie_Breen
Article snapshot: From his earliest childhood memories growing up in Marin county, Miles McConnell was always outside doing something. Being such an active person, Miles noticed a change in his coordination right away when he was on one of his outdoor adventures. “I felt my first symptom of things to come on a day of backcountry skiing off of Carson Pass in April of 2014,” shared Miles. “I wasn't linking turns like I was accustomed to, and wrote it off as a bad day. When I sprained my ankle in September running (on our first day of a week in Hawaii!), I realized that something wasn't right. By February of 2015 I had been told that I had ALS. I was only 49 years old.” “In hindsight, the process of coping with a life changing diagnosis was broken down into distinct phases: shock and fear, then anger, then overwhelming grief [...] I can spend a day tinkering with my latest innovation for making my daily activities or adventures easier, go for a ride on my recumbent trike, or sit out back and meditate,” said Miles. “I miss the mobility I so enjoyed all of those years, but instead of focusing on what I've lost, choose to focus on all of the opportunities that await.” Together, Miles and his wife, Dubie, decided that this news wasn’t going stop them from doing the things they loved together. They formed Team S(Miles) and became involved in The ALS Association Golden West Chapter's Sonoma County Walk to Defeat ALS and Napa Valley Ride to Defeat ALS. “Life is full of joy and uncertainty. It's easy to get caught up in regretting what did or didn't happen in the past, or fretting about what may happen in the future. But the present is what's really important, and making the most out of the cards you're dealt. Living with ALS has reinforced this concept for me. I'm incredibly lucky to have my wife's support through this journey. Dubie provides me total freedom in my day to day activities. Life is sweet, and I intend to make the most of what's left!” You can join Miles and his family at the Napa Valley Ride on September 21 in Napa. Register today or make a gift to Team S(M)iles at NapaValleyRide.org.
Juan Reyes - We don't have a spotlight on Juan Reyes, but we can get more written content from his family within the next few days. We know that he was formerly an officer for the SJPD and he participates in the Silicon Valley Walk with his team "Retired SJPD Officer Juan Reyes #ALS Warrior." Before engaging with our community walk, he had done other philanthropic work to help the youth in his community (I believe through the San Jose Police Activities League). In 2018, his niece orchestrated an ALS awareness night with the San Jose Giants. She wrote: In February of 2017 my Uncle Juan was diagnosed with ALS. While this is probably the biggest curveball my family and I could have gotten, we are all in this journey together and swinging for the fences. Through everything, I can say he has never lost his sense of humor. I don't think there will ever be a day he isn't making fun of us or laughing at us in some way, because that is who is is, ALS or not.