On Sunday, September 7th, at Zervas Elementary School in Newton, MA, the ALS community will gather to participate in the 2025 ALS Walk for Research. The event, a scenic three-mile walk, roll, or stroll, benefits an incredible cause—the critical research to discover treatment and cures for ALS at the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI).

In anticipation of this year’s walk, we’re interviewing the leaders of some of the event’s biggest and most successful teams. Today, we’re joined by Ali Coppolino, who organizes Team Becky in honor of her mother, Becky Mourey.

First off, can you introduce yourself and your connection to ALS?

My name is Ali Coppolino. Coppolino my married name—it used to be Ali Mourey. My connection with ALS is through my mom, Becky Mourey. She was diagnosed with ALS in November of 2020, and she passed away on February 14th, 2023. During the time that she was sick, she was very involved with advocacy, which is how I became aware of ALS TDI. She won the Stephen Heywood Patients Today award in 2022 at the ALS TDI Leadership Awards in 2022.

Can you tell us a bit about the team you organize for the ALS Walk for Research?

We’re called Team Becky, and we actually do a bunch of different events. Different people will hop on and off the team as their availability permits. At the last ALS Walk for Research, it was myself, my brother Tyler, my aunt Sue, my cousin Alex, and two of my mom's best friends, Bobby Kipp and Jennifer Wright.

The first event we did, why we got together initially, was the Tri-State Trek in 2023. It was inspired by the fact that my mom passed away on February 14th of that year, which made me think, “What do I do now?” I was 27 at the time and it was unbelievable feeling that young without my mom in the world. I was trying to figure out what even matters anymore if ALS can take away someone so amazing and full of life.

Then, I saw a Twitter post about the Tri-State Trek and decided to do it. It was kind of impulsive. I didn't even own a bike at the time, but I formed Team Becky and we expanded from there. Now, we've done the ALS Walk for Research, and we will be doing that again this fall. We’ve also done the Berkshire ride for ALS, which is for ALS One, and David’s Old Silver Swim, for Compassionate Care ALS.

Team Becky has tackled a number of different events. Why did you decide to add the ALS Walk for Research to your calendar?

So, as I said before, the initial event that we did was the Tri-State Trek. The reason why I expanded it to do the ALS Walk for Research was because—walking vs. riding a bike—it's just a much lower barrier to entry. There were people interested in participating with Team Becky, but they were intimidated by the cycling aspect, or they just couldn't do it physically. The fundraising requirement for the Walk is also much less intimidating. That all made it easier to recruit people for the team. It was a nice way to get people involved who couldn't do something more intensive.

How would you describe your experience at your first ALS Walk for Research last year?

At all these events, it always feels very purposeful to be surrounded by other people who have also gone through ALS. People in general know that ALS sucks. Sometimes they know that it's terminal, sometimes they don't. But, at the walk, it was nice to know that the people there are aware of the good, the bad and the ugly that is involved with the disease.

I really liked that, when we were walking, I was able to reconnect some people who I had seen before, either at the Tri State Trek or the ALS TDI Summit or the White Coat Affair. It feels like a nice community, and it's uplifting.

Why do you think it’s important to support ALS research at ALS TDI through events like the ALS Walk for Research?

I like supporting ALS TDI because they’re dedicated to finding cures for ALS. I know of lots of other great ALS nonprofits, but they tackle the issue from different angles. I feel like ALS TDI covers that critical unmet need—what do we really want? Eventually, we want a cure, we need more treatments, we need something better.

You’re involved in so many events, including the ALS Walk for Research. Can you talk a bit about your approach to fundraising for an event like this?

Throughout the year, I find that it's helpful to remind people that ALS is out there, and about my connection to it through my mom. I'll make posts on Facebook, for example, just remembering my mom and emphasizing that we want to end ALS someday. And then, as the event gets closer, I'll start sprinkling in things like “if you're able to, please donate to my fundraiser.”

Is there anything else you’d want to say to someone who might be reading this and considering signing up for this year’s ALS Walk for Research?

The walk is a great introductory event. Part of the walk that was especially inspiring is that there are people there living with ALS there. It reminds you that, if someone can go through all that loss, losing their own ability to walk, oftentimes talk, a walk is simple in comparison. It's also a great setting to find a sense of community. It's a lot easier to chat with people on a walk versus a bike ride.

To learn more and sign up for the 2025 Walk for Research on Sunday, September 7, 10:00 am at Zervas Elementary School in Newton, MA, click here.

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