Joel Sims

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$650.00

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Goal

Of Goal

It's about friends

Event:	Orange County Walk
Date:	Saturday, November 14, 2020 Virtual and Ongoing
Team:	As You Wish

My most recent friend with ALS is Mark Hume. He and I went to Willamette University in Salem, OR in 1980, lived next door to each other for a couple years, (4th floor Baxter and frat house), joined the same fraternity- Kappa Sigma and shared a lot of good times with friends together. We lost touch after graduation, but from time to time you think about old friends and wonder what is going on. Received some bad news earlier this year when I found out he had ALS. My wife and I have had 5 other friends-Bob, Ernie, Pat, Bob and Sandy who have received this diagnosis and bravely stood up to the disease. All special people in their own way and given this diagnosis out of the blue in the prime of their lives. I don't know how I would handle this, but these special people have. All we can do is offer support, prayers and try to help in any small way we can. Hopefully that is enough. I hope Mark and his family know they are loved by their friends, that they are special and that we care.

Here's a special note from Mark and his mom-

Hey guys,

My 81 year old mom, who loves to write and is still teaching and educating people (runs an institute at UCI), was really touched by your brotherhood and commitment. So she thought more people should know, so see the brief statement below on the ALSA website. The Willamette alumni magazine is also going to do a story for the next issue. Kappa Sigma shines brightly again for the best reasons. 6 days till we don the kilts and strike fear into ALS!

AEKDB

Mark

P.S. Pass this on

THE TIES THAT BIND

I think it was pre-school when our son, Mark, started moving in a cluster. As the youngest of the three Hume boys, he thrived in developing his own world, peopled with guys his age who like to move fast, play games and speak in a language understood only by funny daredevils and dogs. That little-boyhood social life was noticeably different from his more introverted older brothers and he blossomed. Hanging with pals was a vital ingredient for a happy life —until he discovered girls anyway.

When he headed for my beloved alma mater, Willamette University, in 1980, it didn’t surprise us that he pledged a fraternity. Kappa Sigma. He was a natural born frat-rat who enjoyed his new cluster. Mark is an extrovert blessed with an optimistic personality and intelligence, so being in college and Kappa Sigma was a good proving ground as he headed toward adulthood. He kept in touch with some of his fraternity brothers through the years, as he worked for a Masters and Ph.D. and into his chosen profession.

He met the love of his life, Donna, as they both worked in a rehab hospital to confirm the licenses required in their careers: Donna as a Marriage and Family Counselor and Mark as a Clinical Psychologist. They are dedicated, loving parents of three children. Both have been hip-deep supporters and friends in their church, the children’s schools and an amazing neighborhood, which is a model for the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.”

About 18 months ago, at age 51, Mark was diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease. He has maintained his upbeat spirit, taking part in several tests with trial medications, which alleviate some troubling symptoms. Something he hopes to continue as long as possible is his work as senior psychologist at Chino State Prison and professor at Argosy University. That will depend, however, on the physically limiting symptoms of ALS.

Facebook put him in touch with most of his Kappa Sig classmates and he shared the dismal news of his illness with them. Recently, he told them about the ALS Walk, which is slated in Irvine on Saturday, November 8, 10 AM. Mark is gathering a team of family and friends, most wearing kilts in honor of his heritage, a dedicated Scot. The hope is that his Walk team, sub-titled “Off-Kilter”, will collect a heap of money for the local ALS Association. It supports patients and their families in so many tangible, essential ways.

In an amazing act of loyalty and affection his fraternity brethren took action. One has access to private planes and 28 of Mark’s fraternity brothers will board them the day before the Walk and come from the Northwest to Orange County, California. Here’s a safe prediction: That night there will be a frat party in Irvine filled with a bunch of 50+ year-old Willamette alums, who are the best kind in my book. Mark—and his family and friends—are deeply moved by this amazing gift, generously offered by pals from so long ago. Indeed, there are special kinds of ties that bind—across the years and miles, ups and downs. Friendship. What a blessing.

Julie Fullager Hume
October 2014

As a staff we are working very hard to make this day all that it can be for you, your family, and friends. We recognize we will come across some hurdles but most importantly hope your time at the walk is a time filled with joy. It is because of all of your hard work and dedication I am confident we will surpass our goal which will allow us to better support the 160+ families that we directly serve.

Help us beat our goal and please ask others to do the same.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Jared Mullins
Executive Director
The ALS Association Orange County Chapter

I'm glad Debbie and I are able to participate in this special event.

Thanks, Joel