Firefighter To Run Marathon In Full Gear To Raise Funds To Fight ALS

Parma Heights Firefighter David Kaszar is planning to attempt an extraordinary feat: run his first marathon, the 26.2 mile Cleveland Marathon on May 17, 2015, in full turn-out firefighting gear. David is running to raise money to help find a cure for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, the illness that has afflicted his father for the last two years and will ultimately take his life.

Hearing of David’s plan, two other Parma Heights Firefighters, Brian Durante and Pat Mason, will be running to support him, also in full gear. They are currently in training to carry the additional 45 pounds the equipment will add. David says he will be “fueled by thoughts of the man who raised me who is now fighting for his life every day. He always believed that I could do anything I dreamed of, and this is a dream I am pursuing for him”. In honor or David’s dad Phil Kaszar, the team is called “Living to the PHILest.” 

Phil Kaszar’s illness began a little over two years ago with weakness and pain in his shoulder. His son first became aware that his father was experiencing health issues when his dad, helping out at David’s new home, was unable to scrape wallpaper due to his symptoms. Phil broke the news at a family meeting, informing those he loves that victims of ALS normally have a 2-5 year life expectancy. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative terminal disease and with no known cure. Attacking nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain, ALS eventually robs its victims of muscle control and many suffer total paralysis in the final stages. Although weak from the progression of his ALS, Phil is unable to move but is still able to communicate. 

According to Firefighter Kaszar, “My family made the promise to him that day that we would be there for him however he needed. He made the promise to us that he would live every day that he had left to the absolute fullest.”

Phil’s fight has created a need for David’s family and friends to become supporters of efforts to raise money to find a cure for this terrible disease. You may remember the Ice Bucket Challenge that swept the web last year with people around the world having water dumped on their heads. I know I do, as I was invited by the Valley Forge High School Marching Band to take the challenge with them! David says that the next few months were incredible with “people all over the world making videos to raise awareness and money for the exact cause that meant the most to me. With the phenomenon that was the ALC Ice Bucket Challenge inspiring everyone, our team raised over $10,000.”

Buoyed by that outpouring of support, David decided to use his profession to help with his fundraising efforts. David’s goal is to double his funds and raise $20,000 this year.  I know that, with the support of his family, friends and our community, he is sure to reach is goal. To donate, go to: http://webnoh.alsa.org/goto/davidkaszar.

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Volume 7, Issue 5, Posted 8:30 AM, 05.01.2015