ALS

When life keeps you in the dark that's
when you start looking to the stars.

Websites:

The ALS March of Faces "Brick by Brick" Newsletter October Edition is NOW Available on-line. Visit our homepage at http://march-of-faces.org to access. The Brick by Brick is an informative resource compiled by PALS and their Caregivers

What is ALS?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons dies, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With all voluntary muscle action affected, patients in the later stages of the disease become totally paralyzed. Yet, through it all, for the vast majority of people, their minds remain unaffected.
ALS, a motor neuron disease, was first identified in 1869 by the noted French neurologist Jean-Martin Cahrcot. Although the cause of ALS is not completely understood, the 1990's brought a wealth of new scientific understanding about the physiology of this disease.

Lou Gehrig, with whom ALS is most commonly associated, first brought national and international attention to the disease back in 1939 when he abruptly retired from baseball after being diagnosed with ALS.
However, ALS is not just Lou Gehrig's disease and it knows no boundaries. The disease has cut short the lives of such notable and courageous individuals as Hall of Fame Pitcher, Jim "Catfish" Hunter, actor, Michael Zaslow, creator of Sesame Street, Jon Stone, actor David Niven, boxing champion, Ezzard Charles, Pro Football Player, Glenn Montgomery and Senator, Jacob Javits.

For more information on ALS visit the ALS web site at: www.alsa.org