Steppin' it up to beat ALS

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - It takes a life every 90 minutes; that's the deadly timetable of ALS , otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. It's a degenerative disease that strikes nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

Hampton Roads is helping fight ALS -- one step at a time.

On Sunday, our very own Bruce Rader emceed the 2nd Annual JT Walk & Beach Party. The walk brought in close to $2 million dollars to help fund ALS programs and projects.

Thousands, possibly 9,000, walked in this year's event making it the largest ALS walk ever.

The walk was inspired by Virginia Beach resident Josh Thompson's (JT) battle with the disease.

Bruce Thompson, JT's dad, is grateful for this year and last year's stunning turnout along the Oceanfront for an event he helped organize. Last year, some 7,000 people turned out for the walk, raising more than one million dollars.

"Given the opportunity to do something great, they're there," said Thompson. "I said Josh, it's because of you man, people care about and love you."

JT was an avid surfer before being diagnosed with ALS two years ago.

Now, JT's dad, one of the biggest land developers in Hampton Roads, will break ground this weekend on another venture -- a brand new park for the disabled.

The walk ran from 31st Street to 1st street, where the new park's groundbreaking ceremony was held. The park will be called "Grommet Island Beach Park & Playground for EveryBODY."

Thompson said, "This by far will be my greatest personal accomplishment." And it was all inspired by a son named Josh.