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ALS Awareness Events, Hike x Brunch

Complete: 2025 Hike x Brunch

Posted on by MOFF
22
Jan

Event Concluded

February 22, 2025

This event is in memory of Martha Olson-Fernandez, an avid hiker and the namesake of MOFF. Martha passed away from ALS related complications in 2012. Today, her memory reminds us to prioritize health and get up and move in whatever way makes you feel good.

This event has evolved into a hybrid, virtual and in-person, event in our post pandemic world. The “Hike” and “Brunch” sections below outline participation details for the event format you prefer.

Hike

  • Hike at a location near you or to Martha’s memorial bench. The bench is located on the Felsman Loop portion of the Bishop’s Peak Trail in San Luis Obispo, CA. In-person participants gather at 10:00 AM and bring roses to Martha’s bench or the top of Bishop’s Peak in honor of those who can no longer hike. Roses will be provided at the trailhead entrance on Patricia Drive.

Brunch

  • Head to your favorite brunch spot after you hike! If you are in SLO, the Quesadilla Gorilla restaurant will be donating a portion of proceeds to MOFF. Use code “MOFF” between 12 PM and 3 PM PST on 2/22/25 to contribute to the local ALS community.

 

Tags: ALS Awareness Events, Hike x Brunch

Natalie Fernandez
Program Director, CFO
Natalie is the associate project manager of clinical development at Viracta Therapeutics in San Diego, CA. In her spare time, she works as the program director and CFO of MOFF. Well connected within the ALS community, Natalie runs the ALS Research Paper Review Initiative (ALS RPR) and is a member of the ALS Association National Chapter Patient and Caregiver Advisory Committee (PCAC). Natalie completed her MBA degree in Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Business at The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia in June 2019. She holds an undergraduate degree from NYU in Communicative Sciences and Disorders and Spanish.

Andrea Fernandez
Director, Secretary
Andrea is currently working for Plaid in San Francisco, California. She earned her B.S. at California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo. Andrea chose to live abroad and teach in Spain for a year prior to moving to San Francisco. She is currently enjoying the NorCal city lifestyle and looking forward to all that is to come.

John Ronca
Board Member
John joined the MOFF board of directors in April 2020. Bio coming soon.

Cheri Humphrey
Board Member
Cheri Humphrey joined the MOFF board of directors in August of 2019. Cheri grew up in Dixon, CA and moved to San Luis Obispo to attend Cal Poly. It was there that she met her husband Jim. They now reside in SLO and have a daughter, Victoria and a son, Riley. Cheri is instrumental in the operations of the iconic Madonna Inn, which she has been the manager of since 1989. Cheri and her family have been ALS advocates since the inception of MOFF. We are honored to have Cheri as part of the board to guide community outreach and continue raising awareness of ALS prevalence on the Central Coast.

Ian Parkinson
Board Member
We are very excited to welcome San Luis Obispo County Sheriff, Ian Parkinson, into his second two-year term as a member of the Martha Olson-Fernandez Foundation Board. Ian has served as Sheriff since 2011 and is well known in the community for this tireless efforts to improve the law enforcement processes of SLO County. Ian knew Martha Olson-Fernandez and has been a supporter of MOFF since 2012. We are very grateful for his commitment to help us carry out our mission to fight ALS through patient care and research. We look forward to utilizing his strategic insights and community outreach to further the MOFF mission.

Larry Fernandez
Director, CEO
Larry is currently an executive for a private vegetable seed company. He has been an entrepreneur in the seed industry for 35 years. He is the proud father of Andrea and Natalie and enjoys watching them pursue their education and practical learning through their job experiences. When time allows, Larry enjoys hunting and fishing. His desire is to find a cure for ALS.