ALS Cure supporters,
ALS is a deadly disease which viscously and progressively robs a person of the ability to move muscles leading to complete paralysis while the brain operates perfectly. An ALS patient becomes trapped in their body, unable to move arms and legs and eventually other critical muscles necessary for breathing and swallowing leading to death. I lost my beautiful wife Gretchen Piscotty to this horrible fate in 2018 after a short 16-month battle with ALS. Watching a loved one suffer from ALS is incredibility torturous for friends and family. On average, 6,000 people are diagnosed with ALS each year. The average life expectancy for a patient with ALS is 2-5 years. On average, 18,000 Americans are suffering ALS each year. There is no cure for ALS. There is no test for ALS and there are no effective therapies to halt the disease’s relentless progression.
Following the passing of Gretchen, my son Stephen Piscotty (former Oakland Athletics outfielder) and I started the ALS CURE Project in 2019 to fund vital ALS research with laser-focused mission to cure ALS in Gretchen’s honor. The ALS CURE Project organizes international symposiums bringing the top ALS researchers together to strategize vital research that will lead to cure of ALS. To date, the ALS CURE Project has funded over $2.8 million in international ALS research at leading ALS research institutions around the globe.
Early this year, I was introduced to Ron Mittelstaedt, the CEO of Waste Connections. Ron’s lovely wife Darin is suffering from Parkinson’s Disease which is a similar neurological disease to ALS. Ron and I discussed the many similarities of the Parkinson’s and ALS diseases, and we believe advances in one disease will benefit the other. Ron has graciously adopted the ALS CURE Project as the beneficiary of this year’s charitable Capital Cup golf event offering to match donations received up to $500,000. The event will be held September 13-15.
Ron’s incredible generosity and actions present a rare opportunity to leverage donations to propel ALS cure research. I have included Ron’s letter below with the link to donate via credit card and the address to send checks. All donations are tax deductible.
I ask that you consider donating to help us rid humanity of this cruel disease.
Please feel free to contact me in this regard at 925 321 5487 or mikep@alscure.net.
Gratefully,
Mike Piscotty, President
ALS CURE Project
Laser focused on a Cure for ALS
President and CEO of Waste Connections
July 10, 2024
To all Supporters of Waste Connections charitable efforts:
As many of you know, two years ago was my first year playing in the Capital Cup (full details attached). I played for the Michael J. Fox Foundation to raise dollars for Parkinson’s which my wife Darin is battling. This year we are changing things up. Most of you know my colleague and friend Sean Mason, Waste Connection’s Business Development Manager in the Western Region. What you might not know is that Sean lost his father to ALS in 2010 after a short and courageous battle. Through my relationship with Sean, I have learned about his father, Ray and the special bond that they had as well as his battle with this terrible disease. At this year’s Capital Cup tournament, Sean will be my caddie and we will be competing to raise money for the ALS CURE Project (www.alscure.org). Our intention is to raise the most money and to win the tournament.
This is the Sacramento Area’s premier charitable Golf Tournament – the event this year takes place September 13th-15th, it is a 3- day, 3 course, Ryder Cup format with two Teams of 16 players competing against one another for individual and team titles. Each of the 32 individual players chooses their own Charity to support and raises funds and compete for funds to be allocated to their respective Charity. TheALS CURE Project is a charity that both Sean and I believe in as they are removing barriers and connecting international researchers to find a cure.
The player with the most sponsorship dollars raised by September 12th receives an extra $100,000 from the Tournament towards their chosen Charity.
I plan to win the Sponsorship Award for the most dollars raised.
To this end, I will personally MATCH DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR whatever anyone pledges. My goal is to raise $500,000 with my matching gift.
All of you have given so much in support of Waste Connections charitable objectives. We do not take that for granted and are eternally grateful. I’m asking that you consider financially participating in this with me, as it is very personal to me and Waste Connections.
I’m asking you to consider Sponsoring me financially in this Tournament. Below is the link to complete your Sponsorship ( https://capitalcup.mightycause.com/story/Ron-Mittelstaedt2024). If you would prefer to sponsor by check, please make checks payable to: Sacramento Region Community Foundation and mail check to Sara Warden at:
Waste Connections, 340 Palladio Pkwy, Suite 531, Folsom, Ca 95630.
Please do not hesitate to email, text or call me at any time regarding this or anything else you need, 832-508-3787 or ronald.mittelstaedt@wasteconnections.com or Sean Mason at 781-820-2549 or sean.mason@wasteconnections.com
Thanks in advance for your support.
Ron J Mittelstaedt
President and CEO
Waste Connections, Inc
ronm@wcnx.org
832-508-3787
https://capitalcup.mightycause.com/story/Ron-Mittelstaedt2024
