Cathy's Legacy

In October of 2020, Cathy was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), which is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease that weakens muscles and limits physical function. The news of her diagnosis shocked us all, yet Cathy proceeded with resilience and an ever-present spirit that inspired everyone around her. After a courageous two year fight, our mom sadly passed away in August of 2022.

Cathy devoted these past two years to advocacy and awareness - doing everything in her power to drive change for ALS patients in both research and care. We promised to keep her memory alive by continuing her efforts to ensure other patients and families could benefit from the amazing momentum Cathy generated for the ALS community.

To that end, we are excited to announce:

1. We will also be hosting our 2nd Annual Rally 4 Nally Fundraiser on January 7, 2023 to keep Cathy’s legacy alive and continue her mission to both support those living with ALS and to find a cure for this horrible disease.
2. $175,000 from the first Rally 4 Nally and all contributions from future events will be donated to two incredible organizations that had a profound impact on Cathy: Compassionate Care ALS and The Peter Frates Family Foundation.

Please read below to see how you can support Compassionate Care ALS and The Peter Frates Family Foundation in Cathy's memory!

Join Us at the Rally 4 Nally

We're thrilled to announce that we'll be taking to the shores of South Boston for the second annual Rally 4 Nally on January 7th, 2023:

Take the Plunge: The day will begin by plunging (or dipping) into the cold South Boston shoreline to make our "splash" in the fight against ALS, with the event following in the footsteps of the annual "Plunge for Pete" that was so instrumental in promoting awareness of ALS. Registration will kick off at the Carson Beach bathhouse at 10am, with the plunge taking place at approximately 11am. Both plungers and spectators are welcome, and hilarious outfits are highly encouraged!

Attend the Reception: Whether you're plunging into the harbor or not, we encourage you to join us afterwards at Venezia in Dorchester (under 10 minutes down the road) for a fun and casual reception with food, cocktails, raffles, games, and more! We’ll also have live music from the Karate Show, whose jams were a staple at plunges for Pete Frates over the years (Rally 4 Nally is not liable for any injuries from dancing too hard). The doors will open at 12pm, and plenty of parking is available (if you don't want to make the swim across the harbor).

To participate in either or both events:

1. Click the Donate & Tickets button above and select the events you'd like to join.
2. In addition to purchasing tickets, you'll also have the option to include a donation with your registration.

Help Us Raise Funds

Whether you're looking for an extra cold shower in January or thinking of Cathy from afar, there are a number of ways to raise funds to support Compassionate Care ALS and The Peter Frates Family Foundation in Cathy's memory:

Donate to Rally 4 Nally: If you would like to donate but can't join us in person, click the Donate & Tickets button above and select "No thanks, I'd just like to donate."

Donate to the Raffle / Silent Auction: We'll also be hosting a raffle and silent auction as part of the reception, though unfortunately our artwork from elementary school hasn't appreciated in value as expected. If there are any items or experiences that you would like to contribute to the auction, please email us at [email protected]!

Our Partners

Compassionate Care ALS (CCALS) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to support people diagnosed with ALS, their families, healthcare providers, and communities as they navigate the complexities, both physical and emotional, associated with the disease. The organization provides resources including equipment, educational opportunities, insurance and Medicare assistance, communication assistance, guidance and awareness with regards to living with ALS, caregiving, and exploring end-of-life when invited.

We’ll never forget the sense of calm and comfort we felt after Founder and Executive Director Ron Hoffman drove up to personally meet our family a week after Cathy’s diagnosis, and CCALS continued to be there each and every step of the way to help us navigate this difficult journey. We’ll be forever grateful that their support gave us the freedom to truly cherish our final two years with Cathy, and we hope the funds raised at the Rally 4 Nally can provide other families that same opportunity.

The Peter Frates Family Foundation is a grant-based foundation with the mission to assist progressed ALS patients and their families with the overwhelming cost of home health care. As the disease of ALS progresses through the patient’s body, the employment of specialized and skilled providers is imperative for required level care assuring the stability of the patient as they continue to live in their home surrounded by the love and comfort of family and friends.

The foundation is in honor of Pete Frates, who was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 27. A former baseball captain at Boston College, he propelled the Ice Bucket Challenge into a viral campaign in 2014 that raised over $225M worldwide to support ALS families and provide research grants. One of the drugs receiving those funds, Relyvrio, received FDA approval in September of 2022, the first ALS drug to do so in 5 years.

We’ve personally been fortunate enough to have the Frates family as friends for years as Pete’s brother was college roommates with Cathy’s son-in-law. Their family went above and beyond to help us these past two years, whether it be advice on how to coordinate the Rally 4 Nally, providing a $5,000 grant to support Cathy’s at-home needs, or taking the plunge in the middle of a honeymoon (though the water did look just a touch warmer / clearer). Cathy was always so thankful that she was able to stay in the home she loved close to us while fighting this disease, and we’re so grateful to be partnering with The Peter Frates Family Foundation to help others do the same.

Thank you for keeping Cathy’s memory alive and joining us in the fight against ALS!

-Cathy's Crew