OU student-athletes ‘Trek’ toward cure for ALS

Three Oakland University women’s basketball players will raise money for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also know as Lou Gehrig’s disease, by participating in the Tri-State Trek, a 270-mile bike marathon from Boston to New York. Sophomore Aubrey Freshour and her basketball teammates junior Jessica Pike and sophomore Melissa Jeltema are riding toward a cure in memory of Freshour’s friend and with the hope of helping her godfather.

ALS is a neuromuscular disorder that causes muscles to deteriorate. There is currently no cure for the disease.

Freshour was introduced to ALS in 2000 when her friend Mary Lou was diagnosed. “For seven years, I watched the brutal disease destroy Mary Lou’s beautiful body. During those years, Mary Lou taught me how to love, hope and live passionately. Mary Lou’s legacy lives through her family and friends who continue to share her love and are passionate with hope for a world without ALS,” Freshour says.

In January 2007, Freshour’s godfather, Vince Marchewka, was diagnosed with ALS.

“It’s ironic that my uncle has the disease named after legendary Yankee player, Lou Gehrig, because he has such a passion for sports. For most of his adult life, Uncle Vince coached little league hockey, soccer and softball. This past summer, I spent some quality time with Uncle Vince. During this time, while sitting in his chair, he taught me how to swing a golf club. I consider myself a potential prodigy in the game of golf. Uncle Vince would totally disagree with the whole golf prodigy thing. He shook his head at me every time I swung the club and a chunk of grass would go missing from his yard,” she adds.

Freshour, Pike and Jeltema will participate in the ALS Therapy Development Institute’s Tri-State Trek on July 18-20. They will race as the team “Lou’s Crew,” riding in memory of Mary Lou and helping for a cure for her godfather.

Freshour has a goal of personally raising $3,600. Pike has a goal of $2,500 and Jeltema has a personal goal of $2,000. Freshour said more than 87 cents of every dollar raised goes directly toward research for treatment or a cure for ALS.

For more information about the Tri-State Trek, visit the Tri-State Trek Web site. To support Freshour, Pike or Jeltema on their quest to support ALS research, visit the Lou’s Crew donation Web page.