Familes of ALS

Dr. Paul Castle practiced alongside Dr. Andy Schroeder, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2011 and succumbed to the disease in January of 2014. An October fundraiser will benefit ALS research, and Schroeder’s four-year-old son.

 

September 2, 2014 (VMPR) – Rolling Meadows, Il. It’s been nine months since Dr. Andy Schroeder, a chiropractor  formerly of Palatine, Illinois passed away from complications due to ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. But Schroeder’s memory lives on, through fundraising efforts and an Illinois non-profit called Families of ALS-created and headed by his former colleague, Dr. Paul Castle of Castle Chiropractic.  To date, $35,000 has been raised.

The two met when Schroeder began practicing alongside Castle at Castle Chiropractic at his Rolling Meadows     offices in 2009. They developed a strong, professional relationship – and personal friendship.

“Andy was a great friend and an even better doctor. All his patients loved him and all his friends looked up to him,” Castle said. “When he was diagnosed, it was such a shock. He kept himself in such great shape with running marathons and a very good diet (and only an occasional scotch).”

Schroeder was a brand new father to a then three-month-old boy named Flynn when the diagnosis came in March of 2011. What made it even more poignant was that he and his wife Teresa waited to have children, to ensure they were ‘ready’.

Just about six months later, Schroder’s deterioration stopped him from working altogether. The family moved to Florida to be with relatives , and because cold Midwest winters can aggravate fatigue of the muscles experienced by those diagnosed with ALS.  Schroeder passed away on January 9, 2014.

His wife Teresa posted this message just after his passing, “I will try to make peace in my mind with the belief that Andy is headed to heaven to meet up with his Dad and probably go for a long- awaited run. I think that Flynn and I now have a new and very devoted guardian angel.”

The PINTS & VINES: A Beer, Wine & Food Fundraiser will be held at Inverness Golf Club on Saturday, October 4, 2014 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will include generous tastings of 25+ wines and beers, foods inspired by Schroeder’s love of sports, a raffle and silent auction.

Proceeds will benefit Schroeder’s charity of choice for ALS research, ALS TDI—as well as to help grow a college fund for Schroeder’s now four-year-old son. Tickets are available for $80 each, and will go up to $95 after September 10. For more information, visit www.familiesofals.com.  Raffle and silent auction items are still being accepted.

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Media Contact to arrange an interview with Dr. Paul Castle:                                                                                                                    

Melanie Santostefano

VM Public Relations, a division of Vicarious Productions, Inc.

M: 312-719-2332                                                                                                                                                                               Melanie@vicariousproductions.com