News & Stories
When Gina Pickett and her sons, Kyle and Connor, first began participating in walkALS Georgia in 2008, their lives had been forever changed by ALS. Gina’s husband, Larry, had recently lost his battle with the disease, leaving behind a wife, two young sons and a community determined to keep his memory alive.
For Gina, the Walk has never been only about one day. It has been a place where family, friends and an entire ALS community continue to show up for one another. Over the years, friends of Kyle and Connor have joined the team. Loved ones have walked beside them. Together, they have helped carry Larry’s Legacy forward.
“We walk because it brings meaning to Larry’s life and death. It allows us to continue his legacy.”
Some of Gina’s most meaningful Walk memories come from seeing that community gathered in one place. She remembers the energy of hundreds of people standing together and the honor of sharing her family’s story from the stage in 2017 or 2018. It was a visible reminder that while every ALS story is personal, no family has to carry it alone.
A Mission that Matters
Nearly two decades after Larry’s death, Gina remains committed to the mission. ALS continues to take lives, and families still need practical support, meaningful connection and hope.
Gina feels that ALS United of Georgia is part of the family, having helped her and her sons navigate life after Larry’s diagnosis and death. Its importance, she says, is rooted in supporting people living with ALS and their families through the realities of daily life.
“We all need that support. We all need that community & connectivity.”
That sense of connection is why Team Larry’s Legacy keeps returning. Their participation honors one life, but it also strengthens a community of people living with ALS, caregivers, family members and friends. By walking and raising funds, they help to provide support for families today while advancing research toward a future without ALS.
Still Walking for Larry
For 18 years, Larry’s Legacy has continued to grow through walkALS and the mission of ALS United of Georgia. This is why Gina keeps walking–to continue writing Larry’s story, to honor his life, and to make sure every family facing ALS is never alone.
Join Larry’s Legacy at the 25th anniversary of walkALS Georgia on September 19, 2026. Every step. Every story. Together, we keep walking because Together, We End ALS.
Watch Larry’s Legacy feature reel on instagram!
