A chance meeting in one of the Bay area's most beautiful places has turned into something long lasting and, some would say, profound.
Two men who got to know each other on the golf course in Cheval almost three years ago pledged to take on the fight against ALS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.
They are at opposite ends of the fight.
Doug McGuiness has the heartbreaking disease, which causes muscle weakness and atrophy throughout the body.
Gary Dassatti has devoted much of his time, money and energy to raising funds to further research therapies and a cure.
"It's such a horrible disease," Gary said. "We still don't know a lot more than we did so long ago when Lou Gehrig died from it."
Gary was moved by Doug's situation and organized silent auctions, raffles, walks and bike trips to raise money and awareness.
"He's a great guy," Gary said. "He has an unbelievable sense of humor. Out of the people I've met in Washington, that I've met here, I've never met a stronger group of people than people who are afflicted with ALS."
This July, Gary put together the first golf outing for 104 players at the Cheval Golf and Country Club for ALS. By the end of 2013, Gary says he hopes to have raised at least $20,000.00 to beat ALS.
"I'm doing something that needs to be done," he said. "I'm not a hero. I'm just doing something for a great friend."
For more information on ALS, visit http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/amyotrophiclateralsclerosis/detail_ALS.htm
The website for the ALS Association is http://www.alsa.org/
The Florida Chapter of the ALS Association is located at 3242 Parkside Center Circle in Tampa.
Call 813-637-9000 or 888-257-1717 or visit info@alsafl.org
To nominate someone for 9's Everyday Heroes, visit http://baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/community/everyday-hero.html