Hecla Mining Company Supports Inaugural Silver Valley Ride to Defeat ALS on June 28

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"It's incredible, the support I've gotten from the company and from my coworkers throughout the years. For them to underwrite the ride has just been an incredible display of generosity." -- Cindy Moore

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho (PRWEB) June 15, 2014

The Inaugural Silver Valley Ride to Defeat ALS will be held on Saturday, June 28 at the Snake Pit Resort in Enaville, Idaho. This new, one-day cycling event will help raise funds to fight ALS—amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The ride is sponsored by Hecla Mining Company and the Evergreen Chapter of the National ALS Association.

The Silver Valley Ride, one of only eight ALS Association sanctioned cycling fund-raising events across the country, has come about from one woman’s fight against ALS—Cindy Moore—and the deep devotion to the cause from her family, friends and long-time employer, Hecla Mining Company.

Cindy Moore, a mining engineer for Hecla, was diagnosed with ALS in 2010 at age 50.

“When I was diagnosed nearly four years ago, I learned most patients are given only two to five years to live.” Moore said. “The progression of this neurological, muscle-wasting disease gradually paralyzes its victims, robbing them of their ability to walk, speak, eat, and eventually breathe. All the while, the mind remains sharp and aware of the total paralysis that is quickly setting in. This is my fate, but it doesn't have to be this way for future generations.”

Her coworkers and the company rallied to help Cindy and her family cope. Coworkers organized “work parties” at her place in Harrison to help with fall chores, and as her debilitating symptoms increased, Hecla hired an employee to serve as her personal assistant to help her with writing and other duties, so she could continue to work in the office. When Moore decided to retire in 2013, the company retained her assistant, who continues to help her with personal and professional tasks.

As she became more involved with the fight against ALS, so did her coworkers and employer. Moore’s coworkers, along with the Hecla Foundation, raised more than $45,000 in donations for the annual Coeur d’Alene Walk to Defeat ALS. During the last two years, her family and friends have participated in the two-day Doubleday Ride to Defeat ALS in Mount Vernon, Washington—dubbing themselves “Cindy’s Cyclists.”

“It’s incredible, the support I’ve gotten from the company and from my coworkers throughout the years,” Moore said. "They've been supportive in many ways through the walks and even helping me out around the house.”

It was through the participation of “Cindy’s Cyclists” in the Mount Vernon ride that the idea sparked to start a similar cycling event in Idaho.

“After last year’s event, the Evergreen Chapter asked if we would consider starting a ride in Idaho,” Moore said. “We knew we could pull it together, but then Hecla said they would help by sponsoring the event, and that sealed the deal.”

Moore, who recently joined the Board of Directors of the Evergreen Chapter, will play a part in directing how the funds raised by the Silver Valley ride will be used. “The money raised from the ride will go toward local care services for “PALS” (Persons with ALS) and their families,” Moore said. “I’m honored to be able to help in that decision making process.”

“We love Cindy dearly,” said Barry Nelson, director of human resources at Hecla. “She is an absolute inspiration to all of us.”

The mining company is the major sponsor for the inaugural ride, but is working with other businesses, including BDO, Wells Fargo, Grant Thornton, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch, to support the event and develop long-term sponsorships for future Silver Valley rides.

The Silver Valley Ride is family-friendly and takes place along the scenic Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. Participants can choose from two ride distances—27.2 or 42.6 miles—however, participants may turn back at any point in the ride. Several crewed refreshment stops, volunteers, and a safety team will be present along the route. The ride is open to anyone 12 years or older, and children under 12 years can participate as a ride-along with an adult, if riding on a tandem, trailer, or tag-along bike.

Ride organizers are encouraging PALS to participate in the ride. The trail has recently expanded options for the mobility disabled, and wheelchairs, manual assistance devices, and mobility scooters are all permitted on the Trail.

“I would like to personally invite PALS to join us for this event,” Moore said. “Many people who have registered for the ride have no connection to ALS. The involvement of PALS will inspire them to continue to support the ALS cause.”

Registration and additional information is available online: RideALS.org. Participants may also register the day of the ride, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Moore believes Hecla has gone “above and beyond” in their support of her and the fight against ALS. “For them to underwrite the ride has just been an incredible display of generosity," she said. "It takes an exceptional company to do something this extraordinary."

About ALS: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that typically strikes people between the ages of 40 and 70. Common first symptoms are a painless weakness in a limb, or difficulty with speech, swallowing or walking. Post-diagnosis life expectancy for a person with ALS is three to five years. There are more than 400 ALS patients living in Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Alaska. The Evergreen Chapter and National ALS Association provide critical assistance for patients and their families at every stage of the disease through patient care management, assistive technology, medical equipment loan programs, support groups, and multidisciplinary ALS clinics.

About Hecla Mining Company: Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) is a leading low-cost U.S. silver producer with operating mines in Alaska and Idaho, and is a growing gold producer with an operating mine in Quebec, Canada. http://www.hecla-mining.com.

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