Final WALK pamphlet cover62309 - The ALS Association Greater ...

aseball legend Lou Gehrig was diagnosed in 1939, nearly 7 million people worldwide have heard the same devastating words “you have ALS.” Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Since
and that same time span, another person is lost to this catastrophic, progressive neurodegenerative
disease. ALS is characterized by a degeneration of motor cells in the brain and spinal cord leading to muscle weakness. As the disease progresses, it causes severe impairment of mobility, speech, swallowing, and respiratory function. Disease),
occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic boundaries, typically striking ALS
men and women between the ages of 35-70. More than 350,000 people around the world are currently
POSTERS—Help us distribute Walk posters by placing them in businesses,
libraries, schools, etc. by volunteering!
FLYERS—Walk information brochures are perfect to use religious
school bulletins, mass distribution at cash registers in local businesses,
etc.
HOST A PARTY—Invite family and friends to your home and include a or
About ALS
Want to help spread the word?
with ALS. In the United States alone, there are more than 30,000 people battling the disease. Between 5 and 10% of those cases are familial, occurring more than once within a family. Presently, no viable treatments exist to effectively slow or stop progression of the disease. living
the advanced stages, care for an ALS patient can cost up to $250,000 a year. The average life expectancy,
is approximately two to five years from diagnosis. While research has shed light on possible causes of ALS, there have been no definitive answers, and its cure remains a mystery. In
———————————————————————————————————————
representative from our Chapter to talk about ALS and how they can help find a cure! “I lost my husband to ALS two years ago. I am starting
to re-build my life thanks the support of The
2
Association, Greater Sacramento Chapter.” Gwen, Sacramento, CA. ALS