Los Angeles – September 08, 2026 -- ALS Network and the Hellenic ALS Association have announced a joint campaign built around a paddling expedition through the Greek Islands, running October 5-12, to raise funds and awareness for people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in both the United States and Greece.
Tom Horton, a longtime supporter of ALS Network, will lead the journey alongside nine family members and friends, honoring his late mother, whose Greek heritage shaped his connection to the country. Donations collected through ALS Network's Greece expedition campaign will fund the organization's work in the U.S., while the Hellenic ALS Association will direct fundraising toward its programs for people with ALS across Greece.
The expedition ties a personal tribute to a cross-border health cause
ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive disorder that damages nerve cells controlling voluntary muscle movement. Access to specialized care and support for the disease varies widely between countries, according to the two organizations.
"Tom's journey is about so much more than the miles he will travel," said Sheri Strahl, president and CEO of ALS Network. She described the trip as a tribute rooted in family, heritage and remembrance, aimed at bringing the two ALS communities together.
Both groups will document the trip in real time for supporters
Throughout the eight-day expedition, ALS Network and the Hellenic ALS Association will post photographs, videos and updates so supporters in both countries can follow Horton's progress. The campaign will also feature stories from individuals and families affected by ALS in the U.S. and Greece.
Aspa Karampela, president of the Hellenic ALS Association, said the collaboration shows that compassion and determination cross borders, and that the joint effort aims to create new opportunities for people living with ALS and their families.
Supporters can follow Horton's journey or contribute to the campaign through the paddlingtocureals.org website.