Cynthia Denton Douthat

Cynthia Denton Douthat has a degree in Education from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas; she taught elementary education as well as ESL (English as a second language).  She has, however, long-term relationships with both the Keith Worthington Chapter in Kansas and the Georgia Chapter and became a member of The ALS Association Board of Trustees in 2009.

She first became involved in the fight against Lou Gehrig’s disease in 1984 when her father, Jack Denton, we diagnosed with ALS.  As a newly-divorced mother of three, she moved from Texas back to her home town of Kansas City to help with her father’s care.  As a daughter, caregiver, and volunteer, Douthat gained a lot of personal experience in dealing with the disease.  Additionally, she played an important role in the growth of the Keith Worthington Chapter.  She served on the chapter’s board, provided respite care to families living with ALS, facilitated support group meetings, and started the chapter’s first Walk fundraising event, which included the “Jack Denton Mile” in memory of her dad, who lost his battle with ALS in 1987.

In the midst of her involvement with the Keith Worthington Chapter, Douthat was devastated by the loss her youngest son, Jeff, as a result of an automobile accident.  That tragedy reunited her with her high school sweetheart, Marsh Douthat; their renewed friendship resulted in their marriage in 1993.  That year, she moved with her husband, his five children and her two sons, Denton and Chad, to Atlanta, Georgia.

Douthat began volunteering with the Georgia Chapter; she focused on both fundraising and patient services-related activities.  Incredibly, doctors diagnosed her husband, Marsh, with ALS in 2005.  Douthat was serving on the Georgia board of directors at the time.  She and her seven children established “tEaM Douthat” (E.M. stands for Marsh’s initials) for the Atlanta Walk to Defeat ALS® and raised more than $100,000 in 2006-2007.  Marsh lived just two years before succumbing to the disease in October 2007.

Still active with both the Keith Worthington and Georgia Chapters, Douthat is committed to raising one million dollars for ALS research in memory of her husband.  She has established the EMD/ALS Biomarker Research Fund.

The Keith Worthington Chapter honored her in April 2010 with its “George Brett Commitment Award” for her ongoing support in fighting Lou Gehrig’s Disease.  Douthat regularly volunteers on clinic days at the Emory ALS Center.