ALS Marathon Row

On Saturday, April 25, thirteen teams will row a marathon at 3Sixty Cycling and Rowing Studio to raise money and awareness for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

One team, led by Bloomfield resident John Kempe, will row in honor of the late William Trembulak. Montclarions may recognize the Trembulak name, as Alan Trembulak (Williams brother) used to be the Montclair Town Attorney and still remains a well known real estate attorney. Alan Trembulak is Kempe’s father in-law. William (known as Bill) passed away a few years ago from ALS and Kempe wants this row to raise as much money and awareness as possible.

 Bill, first one with his brother Alan Trembulak and niece (my wife) Kelsey.
Bill Trembulak (center) with his and niece (Kempe’s wife) and his brother Alan.

Every 90 minutes a person in this country is diagnosed with ALS, and every 90 minutes another person will lose their battle. This crippling disease can strike anyone, and there is no known cause of the disease though support is bringing researchers closer to an answer. In the mean time, it costs an average of $200,000 a year to provide the care ALS patients need, which can be a financial and emotional burden on the families.

Kempe and 12 other teams will be rowing 42,195 m or 26.2 miles on a rowing machine to raise money for ALS research.

“This marathon is dedicated to Bill Trembulak. A family member who sadly passed away from ALS. This is why we are rowing. So that we can find a cure and no more people have to suffer from this terrible disease,” says Kempe and adds, “I will single-handedly be attempting the distance as an individual in one sitting and this is no easy task. Rowing a marathon is not like running one. Marathon rows are not as common for a reason, because they hurt a lot!”

For more information about the event and/or to make a donation, visit the Fundraising Page here