Ohio State athletes to raise awareness of ALS, cash for Christine Terlesky

BOARDMAN

Two years ago, Christine Terlesky penned an open thank-you letter to the Mahoning Valley community for its support during her battle with ALS.

“I understand that I get to see the best in humanity. I understand that there is NOTHING more important than people and love,” she wrote after a community spaghetti dinner in her honor.

Gratitude is a sentiment that Terlesky – a wife and mother of three, former Boardman coach and teacher, and daughter of area basketball coach Ron Moschella – is still eager to express today, 21⁄2 years since her diagnosis.

ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

“I just want to say how grateful I am that the community hasn’t forgotten about our family. We could never repay what Youngstown has given back to us, and we’ll be forever grateful for that,” Terlesky told The Vindicator this week. “I think it’s why we chose to live in Youngstown, because Youngstown always believes in family. I’m happy my kids will get to grow up in this type of atmosphere.”

This time, Terlesky was speaking about a fundraiser for her that will bring a group of former Ohio State athletes – Terence Dials, Troy Smith, Kirk Barton, Anthony Schlegel, Bobby Carpenter, Matt Wilhelm, Chris “Beanie” Wells, Dustin Fox and Scoonie Penn – to Boardman High School next Saturday for “Team Talk: A Fan Forum.”

The nine participants are part of Varsity Partners, an organization of former athletes dedicated to giving back to communities, fans and the universities that helped them succeed.

Read more about the event in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.