During ALS Awareness Month, The ALS Association's "ALS Across America" campaign will recognize people throughout the U.S. living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis for their courageous battle with Lou Gehrig's Disease.
The campaign shines the spotlight on men and women from all walks of life who despite having the progressive, neurodegenerative disease --which on average has a survival rate of two to five years from the time of diagnosis -- think of and help others in similar circumstances before themselves. Caregivers of people with ALS also are profiled in the campaign.
"Each of the 30,000 people in this country fighting ALS is a hero and has an inspirational story to tell," said Jane H. Gilbert, president and CEO of The Association.
"We are honoring those battling Lou Gehrig's Disease who courageously embody the spirit of living life to the fullest and are making a difference in their community."
Throughout ALS Awareness Month, The Association and its more than 100 affiliates will reach out to communities across the country to educate the public about Lou Gehrig's Disease and urge people to join The Association in the fight to make ALS a disease of the past. National ALS Awareness Month activities include proclamations issued by cities and states.
The Association's National ALS Advocacy Day and Public Policy Conference will be May 10-12 in Washington, D.C., when people with ALS and families from across the country travel to the nation's Capitol to tell their stories. In meetings with members of Congress, organizers will advance The Association's public policy priorities, educate Congress about the true nature of the disease and campaign for more to be done in the fight for a treatment and cure.
The ALS Association is the only non-profit organization fighting Lou Gehrig's Disease on every front. By leading the way in global research, providing assistance for people with ALS through a nationwide network of chapters, coordinating multidisciplinary care through certified clinical care centers and fostering government partnerships, The Association builds hope and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure.
For more information about The ALS Association, visit www.alsa.org or call (800) 782-4747. To see more of The Norman Transcript or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.normantranscript.com/. Copyright (c) 2009, The Norman Transcript, Okla. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Copyright (C) 2009, The Norman Transcript, Okla.