Kevin Dispensa never planned to run a marathon. But when his best friend from high school, Ross, suggested they tackle the Chicago Marathon in honor of Kevin’s mom, Janie Gobeli, everything clicked. Now, Kevin, his brother, his dad, and three …
Faces of ALS: A 45-Year Friendship on the Run
Kevin Patula (left) and Chris Fusco at Paw Paw Lake in Michigan, July 2025 Kevin Patula and Chris Fusco became close friends in first grade. More than 45 years later, they’re navigating a diagnosis that neither saw coming — and …
Three Generations of Lou Gehrig Vicari — A Cubs Family Story
When Wilma Vicari was diagnosed with ALS in the summer of 2025, she didn’t sink into despair. Instead, she turned to her doctor at Northwestern Medicine and said something that left him stunned. Her granddaughter, Lea Vicari, remembers it well. …
Hope on the baseball diamond: Marc Davidson’s Journey to Lou Gehrig Day
On Lou Gehrig Day, 40-year-old Naperville resident Marc Davidson will take the field at the Rate to deliver the game ball for the Chicago White Sox. For Marc, who was diagnosed with ALS this past December, the moment is about …
How Humor and High-Tech Power the Goldberg Home
For Dr. Andrew Goldberg, life has always been about solving complex puzzles. As a former Chief Technology Officer and Vice President at AbbVie, he spent over 30 years bringing technological advances to the world of pharmaceuticals. But today, the 53-year-old …
A Love Language of Strength: The Kostrzeski Family
Humor, heart, and a 100-foot circle of care. For Lisa Kostrzeski, a 43-year-old Chicago native and registered nurse of 22 years, these are the tools her family uses to navigate life with ALS. “I’ve always been a talker, and I …
Faces of ALS: Diane Rutledge and the Power of Community
Diane Rutledge passed away from complications related to ALS on February 3, 2026. The story that follows is based on an interview with Diane that took place in January with the help of the assistive communication technologies mentioned below. In …
A Chef’s Touch: How Kate Milashus Keeps Creating Through ALS
For nearly 15 years, the heat, rhythm, and camaraderie of Chicago’s kitchens shaped Kate Milashus’s world. After putting herself through culinary school at 28 and landing her first chef position at 30, she found a home among pastry bags, ovens, …
Faces of ALS: A wedding speech, in her own voice
When Monica O’Callaghan was diagnosed with ALS in 2022, her daughters Natalie and Mary knew their lives were about to change. But they also knew one thing for sure: they wouldn’t let ALS define what came next. “Neither of us …
Faces of ALS: Trevor Storm, Running for a Reason
Trevor Storm is no stranger to the fragility of life. As a hospice nurse from Shelbyville, Illinois, a small town of fewer than 5,000 people, he has spent his career helping families navigate their most vulnerable moments. But it wasn’t …
