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‘This disease is a death sentence,’ Bengal superfan hosts food truck rally to fund ALS research

SPRINGBORO — A food truck rally was held Saturday in Springboro by Paul and Sarah Miracle to raise money for ALS research.

>>Food truck rally staged by Miracles to raise funds for ALS research

Paul is a Cincinnati Bengals fan and suffers from Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“This disease is a death sentence,” he said. “You get it, you don’t recover.” Paul is hoping one day it won’t be.

He followed the team with his daughter, Sarah, during the team’s Super Bowl run in Nashville, Kansas City and ultimately to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood through donated dollars that financed their journey.

>>‘I was speechless’: Area Bengals fan with ALS, daughter headed to Super Bowl

More than a dozen trucks were on hand for the second annual, “Eat to Defeat ALS,” in hopes of getting closer to a cure for ALS.

“We need somebody to go after ALS like they did Covid,” Paul told News Center 7′s Brandon Lewis.

Paul was diagnosed with ALS in 2019. According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

“It usually takes about 12 months on average for someone to be diagnosed with the disease,” said Marlin Seymour, ALS Association Central and Southern Ohio Chapter Executive Director.

“Once they’re diagnosed, they typical life span is two to five years.”

>>The Miracles are staging food truck rally for ALS research

Paul and his daughter Sarah organized the food truck rally with the proceeds raised going to the ALS Association Central and Southern Ohio Chapter.

“It is very much a terminal disease,” his daughter Sarah told Lewis. “It needs a lot of attention and it needs funding.”

People who know Paul say this was a way to raise his spirits and do what they can to help.

“People need to have hope and not just dwell in the bad,” said Sarah. “That’s what we’re trying to promote.”

Paul says the support throughout his journey has been overwhelming.

“God bless everybody that’s followed me in this journey and God bless all those who’ve donated,” he said. “Keep up the good fight.”

Last year the event raised more than $4,000 and they’re hoping to break that this year.

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