Thousands to take part in annual Walk to Defeat ALS Sunday

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (KABC) -- Mari Winsor brought Pilates to the masses. She sold millions of DVDs teaching other people how to move their bodies, but just five months ago, she learned that someday she may not be able to move on her own.

Winsor was diagnosed with ALS, a disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

"It was devastating. I can't describe to you how I felt. It was surreal," Winsor said.

Even though there's no cure for ALS yet, Winsor is determined.

"I don't anticipate myself being in a wheelchair, I can't go there," Winsor said.

Millions of people learned about ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, thanks to the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. The videos that flooded social media of people dumping buckets of ice water over their head also flooded the ALS Association with $115 million in donations.

"Our hope is that some of the money raised by the Ice Bucket Challenge will actually fund a research project or a clinical trial that will find the magic bullet that will be a cure for ALS," Joy Aronson of the ALS Golden West Chapter said.

Double the people than normal have already signed up for the 2014 Los Angeles County Walk to Defeat ALS in Exposition Park Sunday, but there's still time to sign up.

ABC7 is a proud sponsor of the event. Eyewitness News reporter Elex Michaelson will serve as the master of ceremonies.

As for Winsor, she'll be leading the crowd in Pilates. She says it's an invaluable workout for those battling ALS.

"Keep moving. Keep fighting. Join me, come and walk, let's have a ball," Winsor said.

Check-in for the event begins at 9 a.m. in Exposition Park. For more information, visit http://web.alsa.org.