(WBIR - Knoxville) About 1,000 people hit the pavement Saturday morning to 'Walk to Defeat ALS' at Jewelry Television's (JTV) park on Parkside Drive in Knoxville.
A record-breaking 106 teams signed up and raised more than $156,000, another record for the event. This year's goal was to raise $115,000, the amount raised at last year's event.
Leading the large group around the park was Bayard Erskine. Erskine was diagnosed with ALS, commonly called Lou Gehrig's Disease, on January 21, 2011. He said he initially went to the doctor in August 2008 after he had a fall.
"My left leg started going numb and then I started having falls," Erskine said.
Falls are one of the symptoms of the disease that shuts down the motor neurons in a person's brain and spinal cord and results in loss of movement, according to Cheri Sanders, executive director of the Tennessee Chapter of the ALS Association.
Bayard's wife, Kathy Erskine, said, "the disease itself is often referred to as 'The Beast' because it is such a debilitating disease and it's a very expensive disease." Mrs. Erskine added, the ALS Associaion "loans us equipment and they support our group support meetings. They are absolutely necessary to the families that are dealing with this every day."
Bayard, who is confined to a wheelchair, led the way for the walk and said he was overcome by this year's turnout.
"I am so blessed to have this kind of a turnout," Erskine said.
Sanders added, "This is where the Ice Bucket Challenge has been a God-sent to our organization. It's been a miracle."
Since July, videos showing people accepting the chilling challenge to dump a bucket filled with ice and water over the heads have gone viral. It's called the Ice Bucket Challenge and was a way to not only raise awareness of ALS, but also money to help find a cure, prevention, and / or cause.
To contact the ALS Association of Tennessee call 1-877-216-5551.
