Start practicing your aim.

Soon local residents will have an opportunity to draw their guns and shoot for a good cause.

The ALS Association, a national nonprofit, will be hosting a clay shooting contest at Cedar Gate on Nov. 10.

All proceeds will help to further its mission to discover treatments and find a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or also commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

The clay shoot will also be honoring Gary Henley, a veteran living with ALS.

The development manager of the Oklahoma Chapter of the ALS Association, Christy Galyean, spoke at Lions Club last Thursday about the upcoming event, the association’s mission and her own personal connection.

Galyean, a retired police officer, is no stranger to a life of servitude. In fact, her mother frequently told her children that they should strive “to do for others.”

But, it wasn’t until her current position with the ALS Association she felt a true connection.

“This is truly my calling,” she said.

She explained her passion is due to a life surrounded by the fatal disease that currently has no cure. Her mother, two aunts, brother and two cousins have all tragically passed away because of ALS. Galyean’s mother was first diagnosed with arthritis as the pain began in her hands. Upon further doctor visits, she was diagnosed with ALS in early January and died in late April of that same year.

Before her mother’s passing, Galyean was required to help assist in her mother’s daily needs. As ALS progresses, the more human functions it prohibits.

“Our neighbor, who was a nurse, taught me how to feed my mom through a tube,” she said. “I had to miss a lot of school.”

People with ALS can become dependent on those around them, quickly, as the disease can progress rapidly.

“The brain can’t tell your body to move, eat or breathe,” Galyean said.

The time and money can be difficult for families to manage, but the ALS Association is working to lessen the burden.

It provides medical equipment, community services, research and information.

The care services department visits 165 people in Oklahoma who have registered that they are living with ALS.

Community outreach enables them to attend events and become immersed back in their homes.

The Oklahoma chapter holds two major events in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, named “Walk to Defeat ALS.” The walkathon in Tulsa will be held on Oct. 7 and aims to raise $60,000 to “march together toward a treatment.”

As well, the ALS Association has established an equipment loan closet so those diagnosed with ALS may have the proper equipment if they are unable to pay for them.

Innovative technology has improved ALS patients’ quality of life, but the expense is often too steep for many. The renovations that homes may have to undergo to become functional for people with ALS is also costly, Galyean told Lions.

But, it is these same technology improvements that motivates Galyean.

“I have more passion and enthusiasm than grief, because of this new technology,” she said.

Clay shoot honoree Gary Henley is an example she used to illustrate the better future for ALS.

Galyean said, “He communicates through a computer on his wheelchair that tracks his eyes to type.”

Technology like this lowers the many barriers people diagnosed with ALS can experience.

Through the ALS Association, Galyean is working to continue technological advancements such as this and find treatments. Hopefully, one day, a cure too.

“Our mission is to help them live their best life to the fullest,” Galyean said.

For more information regarding the clay shoot visit ALS.org/targetingalsok or email Christy Galyean at christy.galyean@als.org