WORCESTER—Last fall, Taylor Nunez was doing what she had done for more than a decade — teaching English in Worcester Public Schools, raising two young children and staying active as a runner—when her life changed in an instant.
On Sept. 2, 2025, Nunez, just 36, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, a progressive and fatal disease that slowly robs people of their ability to move, speak and breathe.
Now, as she and her family navigate that reality, Nunez has become the face of this year’s Walk to Defeat ALS Worcester, a community event set for May 30 at Clark University aimed at raising funds, awareness and support for those living with the disease.
The annual walk, organized by The ALS Association, brings together families, friends and advocates in a show of solidarity—and a push for progress against a disease that still has no cure.
ALS, often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is always fatal, with most people living two to five years after diagnosis. The disease affects people across all backgrounds and impacts veterans at roughly twice the rate of the general population.
For Nunez, the diagnosis has reshaped daily life, but not her connection to her family or her work.
“Before ALS, Taylor was a runner and someone who found joy and balance through physical activity,” her family wrote on the event page.
“She deeply misses that former life—the freedom of movement, independence, and connection to her body that once came so naturally. Though ALS has changed what her days look like, it has not changed her love for her family — especially her husband Mike, and their children, 7-year-old Matilda and 1.5-year-old Mickey — nor the joy in teaching at the Gerald Creamer Center.”
Each day now is about holding onto those moments while confronting what lies ahead.
“While Taylor continues to work hard to maintain the current state of her condition, there is the sad understanding that this disease will progress, ultimately leading to a loss of complete mobility, control over how her body functions and very expensive care,” the family wrote.
The walk itself is designed as a family-friendly event, with participants able to join teams, donate or volunteer. Organizers say it is both a fundraiser and a gathering point for a community shaped by shared experience.
“This walk is a way for the community to support those living with ALS and to raise awareness and critical funds for ALS care, research, and advocacy,” organizers said in the announcement. “It’s an incredibly inspiring day filled with hope, connection, and purpose.”
The need is significant. According to information shared by organizers, someone in the United States is diagnosed with ALS every 90 minutes — and someone else dies from the disease just as often. The cost of care can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for families.
Events like the Worcester walk help fund services provided at no cost to patients and families, while also supporting research efforts aimed at understanding — and eventually curing — the disease.
For Nunez’s team, named “Give it Hell, T,” the mission is both deeply personal and broadly shared.
“Support—whether by donating and/or walking with us will help to find a cure for this insufferable disease,” her family wrote.
The Walk to Defeat ALS Worcester begins May 30 at Clark University. Organizers are encouraging residents to participate, donate or volunteer as part of a growing effort to turn awareness into action.
