"It has been over a decade since [Cliff's] death, and my heart aches at all that he has missed and how much he is missed. I have accepted his journey and know that my journey is to continue to fight for a cure for A.L.S. A promise I made to my younger brother a long time ago.” — Donna Jordan, Co-Founder
* Official Cliff Walk Home Page *
For those we love, for those we lost, we walk.
Each September, our signature event – The “Cliff Walk®” for A.L.S., takes place along the Cape Cod Canal. This tradition began in 1997, when 35 year-old Cliff Jordan had been living with Lou Gehrig’s Disease for two years; his ability to speak or swallow had been taken by this incapacitating disease.
Cliff decided to hold a fundraising walk along the Cape Cod Canal accompanied by friends and family with proceeds going to Dr. Brown, a leader in A.L.S. research, who today works at Umass Memorial Medical Center and Chairs their Neurology Department. With only three week’s notice, the first walk drew sixty people and raised $6,000. While Cliff rode his bike seven miles closer to a cure, he was also marking the start of an amazing tradition.
In January of 1998, Edward J. Sciaba lost his battle with A.L.S., and that Spring the disease also stole the life of Cliff Jordan. Brought together by tragic circumstances, Donna and Mary Ann joined forces to continue the walk to honor and help all of the individuals and families touched by this disease.
The second annual walk attracted 400 people and raised an impressive $60,000! The walk continues to grow each year, as the cure and cause of A.L.S. remain unknown. Last year the walk attracted over 900 family members and friends and raised over $150,000, with over $1.5 million raised since its inception.
Cliff Jordan, Jr. Edward J. Sciaba, Sr.
