Denise's Space Center Adventure

May 2026
by Denise Eckle

When I say to myself, “No White Flags,” I empower myself.
I lift up my strength physically, emotionally and spiritually to not surrender my life to ALS.

Upon my Bulbar ALS diagnosis, summer of 2023, I was informed by three different neurologists that I most likely had 2-½ years left to live.

I am 2 years and 10 months into this horrible disease. I am mostly independent and fighting this fight with hope, patience, strength, and a smile on my face. I am grateful every day.

Team Gleason is a powerful, caring, and respectful organization that brings purpose and support to those of us affected by ALS. They are making life easier, happier and healthier through their many successes.

They flew my family to Orlando, and we enjoyed a beautiful villa on the beach of Cocoa Beach, Florida.

We were treated to a six-hour day at Kennedy Space Center. The five of us were in awe of this remarkable place.

Most recently on May 1, 2026, Team Gleason blessed me, my son, my daughter, her partner and my brother with a wonderful Adventure.

I clearly remember as a child, with our neighbors, gathered around a small black and white television, watching the launch of Apollo 17 at KSC.

I wanted my children, now adults, to feel the excitement of the long-awaited launch of Artemis II just as I did in 1972. The timing was perfect since we just witnessed the launch and return of Artemis II.

It was an impressive day, and I know my family is super charged to continue learning about our future missions into space.

I made us “No White Flags” bracelets that we wore every day to encourage people to ask questions about ALS and Team Gleason.

I handed out other bracelets I made, with sayings like “Help end ALS,” “Pray, cure ALS” and plain and simple, “ALS sucks” to get the conversation going to educate people on our fight to end this deadly invader.

People want to ask questions, and I am grateful they do. I truly believe it empowers the fight to end ALS.