When I launched the #whatwouldyougive campaign in June, I thought I would be lucky to get 30 team members. As of today we have 71, and some of those are fundraising groups that include more than one person. We have so much support. The challenges are starting August 1. People are giving up their voices, their hands, their arms. At least four people are going to use wheelchairs for a day—the extreme challenge.

The team is getting geared up. Members are posting about their challenges, in a continued effort to raise awareness. My friend Rob Becker even started a website to share his experience, and his observations about preparing to take public transportation with a wheelchair are worth reading.

I’m so excited and motivated by our amazing team. We have raised over $71,000, with an incredible 731 donors and counting. I need to stop and appreciate those numbers for a moment. More than SEVEN HUNDRED people have given to the cause. There are people on this team who I’ve never even met. And we still have a month of fundraising to go.

Part of a reason that the fundraiser extends through August is because the famous #icebucketchallenge is coming back, also on August 1. I’m a huge supporter of the #IBC and of Pat Quinn and Pete Frates, who started it last August, and who are bringing it back every year until there is a cure for ALS. Scarlett is particularly excited, and can’t wait to dump ice on her head. She’s already selected her nominees, all of whom are dogs we know. So that should be interesting.

Pat and Pete and I are all involved with ALS TDI, and I’m encouraging anyone participating in the #IBC challenge to donate to the #whatwouldyougive campaign or directly to ALS TDI. Either way, the money goes to ALS research, getting us steps closer to the day when this is a manageable disease.

I try to maintain a positive attitude, to go to sleep every night thinking of the good things that happened that day, to wake up with something to look forward to. But sometimes it’s hard. The first thing I do every morning is unhook my BiPap. Pretending that everything is normal and ok as I’m waiting to be lifted out of bed is an extreme challenge in itself. One of the things that has kept me going is the success of #whatwouldyougive. It gives me purpose, it gives me hope.

I am so grateful to everyone who has been a part of it in any way. You need to know that you’re giving me a reason to get out of bed every day. Well, you and the fact that I need to pee.

Thank you, and let’s keep the momentum going! Team members, I am behind you all the way. None of you needed to do this. Donors, you didn’t need to donate. But you did, and you continue to give. What a gift. You people are incredible.

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