2008 Woodie Awards
Students 'Walk to D'Feet ALS'
Jeff Sullivan
Issue date: 10/18/07 Section: News
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"There is a severe and desperate need for research concerning ALS right now," said Ramstad, a URI professor for more than 20 years currently on medical leave. "Thank you all so much for your support."
More than 250 supporters, organized under the banner of the Ramstad Rams, worked to raise $6,000 to donate to the Rhode Island chapter of the ALS Association in hopes a cure could be found for the disease that kills nerves in the brain and can lead to paralysis.
Even though Ramstad was diagnosed with ALS in the summer of 2005, he continued as chair of the department until March and taught all his classes until the end, said Glen Ramsay, current chair of economics department.
"The thing I miss most about Yngve was his calmness," Ramsay said. "Now that I'm the chair I really miss the fortitude and patience he brought to the department."
On the Quad, Deputy Director of athletics Gregory Burke served as master of ceremonies for the event, and introduced Ramstad, saying that he was the most committed faculty member he has ever met at URI.
"I have a tremendous amount of respect for him and his conviction," he said. "He's an old-fashioned gentleman who cares deeply about these kids and their education. He gets involved with them instead of just working the classroom."
While Burke watched over the small booth on the Quad, supporters walked, jogged and ran to the tempo set by the URI Jazz Band. Although the group didn't actually start walking until around 12:30 p.m., organizers were off to a solid fundraising start.
"I think we're well on our way to reaching our goal [to raise $6,000]," journalism professor Barbara Luebke said. "Not only do we have the support of numerous people who could not attend today, we also have another walk coming up in Warwick in a few days."
Luebke said that as of 11 a.m. yesterday. Ramstad Rams had already collected $5,000, and money was still coming in.
Organizers said they wouldn't have a final tally until today, but the outpouring of support surpassed Burke's expectations.
"Originally, I thought we would raise something like a $100 for this event," Burke said. "Then it just kept getting larger and larger until finally Barbara Luebke just set it to $6,000."
ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a neural disease that affects the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, causing them to stop sending the electrical impulses that force the muscles to move. Over time, the muscles start to decay and shrink, until the victim is basically paralyzed. There is currently no cure, but treatment options are available that slow the development of the disease and control symptoms.
The next Walk to D'Feet ALS will be held at the Confreda Sports Complex in Warwick on Oct. 21 at 11 a.m., rain or shine.