You shake your head, amazed and murmur, “How does she do it? How does Lisa do it?” But, if you stay a little longer and catch a glimpse of her Bi-Pap breathing machine in the kitchen, her cane in the corner and her computer on the desk, you remember that Lisa is “doing it” with 50% lung capacity, labored mobility, and impaired speech.

At 45 years old, Lisa Nichols has ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease. As you may already know, ALS wastes and paralyzes muscles of the limbs and trunk including those that control speech, swallowing and breathing. While this torturous affliction is feared by all and attacks 5000 new people each year, Lisa confronts ALS with dignity, acceptance and spirituality. Not only that, her deep compassion drives her to break the barriers of her disability to reach out to others with ALS. How does this mother of seven live at peace with the demon that is systematically breaking down her body and still mother, expertly I might add, her children? Lisa’s answer: By the grace of God.

But the story doesn’t end there. One little known fact about ALS is that with an average cost to treat of over $200,000 per year, it bankrupts a family. As you can imagine, the need is astronomical. That’s where you come in.

A spirited and caring committee of Greenwood Village residents with the support and cooperation of our fine city, is organizing Band Together, a family festival and concert at Village Greens Park on August 29th , to benefit the Nichols family with a portion of the proceeds dedicated to supporting other families affected by ALS. It is our sincere hope that you will join us in this effort to rally our fantastic community and begin to address the depth and scope of this family’s needs as well as the needs of other families affected by ALS.