ABOUT US

In the spring of 2015, my father, Gary “Goose” Ragusa Sr., was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). That day, he sat down with my brother and me to explain the disease and how it would change our lives. Shocked and scared, we felt hopeless and unsure how to support him.

By August 2015, our family, our dad's friends, the hockey community, and our hometown rallied together to create Team Goose. Its mission was to raise awareness, provide emotional and financial support, and ensure my father received the best care possible. With this support, he lived five years with ALS, never giving up. Without Team Goose, we may have lost him much sooner. I will forever be grateful to this family.

ALS affects over 5,000 people in the U.S. each year—about 15 new cases daily. Every 90 minutes, someone is diagnosed, and someone else passes away. Yet ALS remains tragically underfunded: in 2022, only $200 million was allocated for research. The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge raised $100 million—enough for a single drug trial, with no guarantee of success. Progress relies on donations and fundraising from people who care.

The next chapter of Team Goose is about paying it forward. We aim to improve lives through support, advocacy, and research funding. We educate the public about the challenges ALS brings and dedicate our efforts to effective treatments and ultimately a cure. We also work to expand access to resources that help patients live comfortably.

Join the Team Goose family in the fight to defeat ALS.

- Gary Ragusa Jr.