Ring Around the Needle Pub Crawl Event

Date of event: Saturday, August 29 at 1 - 5pm. Check-in begins at 11:30am at Jabus Pub (map).

All participants must complete check-in before starting the pub crawl.

Check-in location: Jabu's parking lot in Lower Queen Anne on Roy between 2nd & Warren (map).
Check-in time: Check-in and day-of registration begins at 11:30 a.m. on August 29th. The pub crawl is from 1 to 5 pm.

At check-in you will receive your drink tickets, sponsor coupons, a participating bar map and your t-shirt.* You will be issued an ID band once we have checked your ID and verified you are of legal drinking age, so make sure to bring your ID. Participants signed up under a Team Captain will have the same starting bar location.

*Participants who have pre-registered by midnight of August 23rd will receive a free t-shirt. T-shirts will also be available for purchase at check-in while supplies last.

If you're unable to attend, you can still donate via PayPal here.

For a list of participating bars, please view our sponsors page.

About Melissa

Hello everyone, thank you for your interest in our event.

Let me give you all a little background on me. I am 30 years old and for the first 27 years of my life I was extremely active. I started playing basketball when I was 10 years old and it has defined my life and has given me incredible opportunities for which I am most grateful. I earned a basketball scholarship to the University of Washington which enabled me to continue my education. From there I went on to coach and play professionally in Germany and Portugal. Basketball brought me to many countries and gave me immeasurable amounts of pleasure, pride and independence. When I was 25 and in my last season in Portugal, I started to feel very inadequate on the court. I was out of balance, slow and unable to jump as high as normal. I felt that I was just getting old and not training as I used to. I moved back to Seattle and became part of the working world. I continued to play basketball recreationally and go to the gym to work out. My inadequacies continued to progress and it became very difficult to play or run on my own.

After a workout at my local gym, my personal trainer informed me that my problems with balance and strength were not normal of a typical 27 year old. So in August of 2006, I started my search for reason. A day before my 28th birthday, doctors told me that there were definite signs of a neuromuscular disease. I was devastated to know that the active life I have lived was in for a drastic change. I currently am unable to walk without aid of crutches or hand rails. I have started to use a power chair and it has increased my independence and mobility so much. Life is easier despite the restrictions of living on wheels.

In 2007, I attended numerous doctors’ appointments in Seattle and Boston, and undergone several tests; doctors continue to lean on the initial diagnosis of ALS. My life has taken many different turns and I have journeyed down a path I never thought existed. However, despite all of the disappointment and setbacks I have learned to view life in a new way. I can truly say that I enjoy the simple things in life. Each day is cherished in a new and inviting way. My family and friends are the very blood that runs through my veins.

On behalf of myself, my family and all of my friends who have supported me along the way, I send a huge THANKS for your thoughts, prayers and support.

Sincerely, Melissa Erickson

Web Articles

Read the Seattle Times article on Melissa here.

Catch up with Melissa on her blog.

To learn more about ALS, visit ALSA.org.

Event Committee

Thanks to the Committee who is organizing, marketing, and doing all the little things in-between to to make the 2009 Ring Around The Needle Pub Crawl a success.

Cori Enghusen - Enji Izidor - Jen Douvis - Jessica Vaughan
Jill Marlow - Sarah Duncan

Team Captains

Team Captains are huge contributors to this event. They all are committed to selling at least 20 tickets and deserve recognition for their outstanding support. Thanks!

Alicia Heathcote - Carmen Taylor - Colleen Kelly - Deb Sporcich - Ed Erickson - Emily Nutsch - Erica Farnsworth - Jessica Haney - Jessica Swenson - Jessica Wilkinson - Kathy Fiske - Katie Walters-Krohn - Katy Cooper - Kelly Smith - Kimmie Gant - Kristin Erickson - Kyle Moore - Lyrica Smith - Matt Reichmann - Sabina Telenska - Sarah Duncan - T.J. Marlow - Theresa Craw - Yii-Ann Chen

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