Chantelle and her daughter Delaney joined the Delaney family for ALS Advocacy in Washington, DC, many times, including this special memory with Karen Delaney Shideleff and Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick.

Nearly every person involved with the ALS cause has a story of how ALS entered their life. For members of the extended Delaney family, ALS has been part of their lives for as long as they can remember. That is particularly true for our very special December Volunteers of the Month Delaney McCormick and her mom, Chantelle Delaney.

Delaney McCormick was only three years old when she and her mom honored their Aunt Lorraine’s battle with ALS and joined the Delaney family Walk to Defeat ALS team Lorraine’s Legacy. At that time, the Walk was held at the Valley Forge Military Academy. Today, that Walk (one of the Chapter’s seven Walk events) has taken over Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia and like the Walk, Chantelle and Delaney’s commitment to the ALS cause has grown exponentially each year.

Lorraine Delaney was like a second mother to Chantelle, and her daughters Karen, Kathy, Chrissie, and Susan were like sisters to Chantelle as well. Walking in her memory was very special to Chantelle and she made ALS a priority, raising money and awareness for the Chapter’s mission.

 

It may have seemed impossible for Chantelle and Delaney to become even more dedicated to the ALS cause, but then the impossible happened when Karen Delaney Shideleff, Chantelle’s cousin, was diagnosed with ALS in 2011. For Chantelle, it was like seeing a sister receive a devastating diagnosis, right in the prime of her life.

 

Karen’s journey with ALS had a dramatic impact on countless people who were inspired by her story and warm personality. Karen immediately became a guiding light in the world of ALS. She poured herself into the Walk to Defeat ALS, the Ride to Defeat ALS, every research opportunity, media appearances, and, perhaps most notably, advocacy.

 

The rest of the Delaney family rallied round Karen as well. Chantelle promoted Karen’s story to her friends and colleagues and took part in multiple Walk to Defeat ALS events. She knew the realities of ALS, but, like her cousins, she wanted every moment with Karen to be filled with joy. They knew that they weren’t just standing by Karen’s side, they were giving strength and love to Karen’s husband Bob and her father Larry, understanding that they could never make the battle easy, but they could make sure nobody was fighting ALS alone.

 

ALS Advocacy was where Chantelle and her daughter Delaney found their greatest voice, even if Chantelle became so overcome with emotion that she struggled to speak. The national ALS Advocacy Days in Washington, DC, typically have hundreds of attendees, but only a few are children.

Delaney, now a teenager, took detailed notes in every advocacy conference session, learning about legislation and the data that showed the need for funding ALS research as well as bills that would help ALS families. In meetings with members of Congress, Chantelle would talk through tears about Karen, and Delaney would give her a tissue and a shoulder, demonstrating incredible maturity by giving strength to her mom and speaking confidently to Representatives about the intricacies of public policy.

 

Chantelle and Delaney would not leave the meetings without a firm commitment for support. They were a powerful team on a mission greater than themselves. Over time, the mother and daughter would develop their own relationships with advocates from across the country and with the many members of the media who spotlighted Karen’s story on television, radio, newspapers, and online.

 

Karen’s story inspired Delaney and she raised money for ALS research with her high school friends and was named one of the Chapter’s first Young Advocate of the Year honorees. Delaney, now 20, is pursuing a challenging college degree in chemistry.

 

In early 2017, Karen Delaney Shideleff passed away from ALS. Her celebration of life was attended by hundreds of people who were inspired by her story and her Congressman, Brian Fitzpatrick, even honored her life on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Karen’s life inspired countless people and continues to serve as a motivation for Chantelle and Delaney. They participate in the Walk and Ride to Defeat ALS events and give voice to Karen’s story.

 

Today, Chantelle and Delaney still lean on each other and offer their time, energy, and strength to all those families affected by ALS. They focus on Karen’s life as a reminder of what ALS can take away and how meaningful one’s life can be when filled with love. Their advocacy is inspired by Karen’s battle, but now they use their power and their voice for the entire ALS community, just as Karen and Lorraine would want them to do.

 

Chantelle and Delaney participated in the Walk to Defeat ALS for Lorraine's Legacy
when Delaney was just 3 years old.