News & Stories
Making a Difference through Walk ALS: Sue Clarkson of Salem, Oregon
Sue Clarkson’s strength and presence have made her a strong pillar of the Salem community. She has shown support to so many — and now she asks for YOUR support. Register and donate to the State Capitol Walk ALS on Saturday, May 2 to enjoy a day full of community, local food vendors, and lots of fun.
If you are lucky enough to know Sue Clarkson, you are lucky enough to know her tenacity and spirit. You can’t help but smile when you are around Sue, and her love for life is evident in everything she does. From traveling, to being active in her church community, to always showing up for her family, Sue’s ALS diagnosis hasn’t stopped her from doing the things that are important to her. If anything, it has propelled her to do them even more.
Born and raised in Salem, Sue has called Oregon home her whole life. She met her husband Greg in 1970 and started their family shortly after. The Salem Evangelical Church has been a constant in Sue and Greg’s life and is one of the many reasons why they love living in Salem. Through their faith, they have built meaningful relationships and have found a strong support group that has continued to show up for them.
Living Well with ALS
Prior to being diagnosed with ALS, Sue and Greg were world travelers, with their preferred method of transportation being cruise ships. Two of their most memorable cruises were to Jamaica and Alaska. Despite Sue’s diagnosis, she and Greg have found ways to keep traveling, shifting their adventures closer to home. This has allowed them to continue to do what they love while prioritizing Sue’s health. This year, they are excited to be going on another road trip, this time to Yellowstone, with some close friends. They had such a great time road tripping last summer that they couldn’t wait to do it again.
When Sue and Greg aren’t traveling, you can find them soaking up quality time with their grandchildren. Sue has continued to prioritize spending time with each grandchild by designating a specific day to do each of their favorite things. Sue has done so much for her family, and she is deeply appreciative of how supportive her family has been since her diagnosis.
The ALS Northwest 2025 Family Fun Day at the Oregon Coast Aquarium was especially impactful for Sue. At the event, through connection with other families affected by this disease, her son-in-law was able to get a cookbook that he can use to help him cook for her when she develops issues with swallowing. This moment was a subtle way for her son-in-law to show his love for her and reflects what a caring family Sue and Greg created.
What Walk ALS Means to Sue
Sue loves all the events ALS Northwest puts on, but she is especially excited for Walk ALS because of how much fun she had connecting with friends and meeting new people at last year’s event. Sue and Greg shared, “joining the Walk last year was eye-opening because we met others living with ALS at different stages of the disease. We also learned more about the services available to us and connected more closely with others in the ALS community.” For Sue, the walk was more than just a day at the park; it was a way to celebrate the ALS community and make the most of every moment.
Sue would like to tell anyone living with ALS, “Don’t isolate yourself. Allow others to help you. People truly want to help, and while it can be hard to accept it at first, that support becomes so important. By accepting help, you’re not only caring for yourself, but also giving others the opportunity to be a blessing.”
We are so grateful for Sue and Greg and all of the support they have shown for ALS Northwest. If you want to make a difference while having a great time, register for a walk near you!