It is a critical time in the research for a cure for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). This disease disrupts muscle function while leaving the brain intact, making patients feel trapped in their own bodies. Below is a story about Dana, and the need to find a cure.
What is ALS Lou Gerhrig’s Disease?
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) a neurodegenerative disease or motor neuron disease. ALS causes muscle weakness and atrophy because of degeneration of your upper and lower motor neurons. ALS is known as Lou Gehrig’s disease because of the New York Yankees baseball player who was diagnosed with ALS in 1939.
Those with ALS may lose the ability to control their movements. The first ALS symptoms are weakness and muscle atrophy. Other symptoms include twitching, cramping, dysarthria, slurred or nasal speech, dysphagia, and decline in breathing ability. Usually, ALS doesn’t affect cognitive functions, making people feel trapped in their own bodies.
Help Find a Cure for ALS Lou Gehrig’s Disease
ALS Therapy Alliance is leading the way by identifying and funding leading-edge research for ALS. CVS/pharmacy is a long time supporter, they have joined with customers and colleagues to raise more than $27 million for ATA to support ALS research. The goal and hope is to find a cause and cure for ALS through leading-edge techniques to find therapies like gene silencing and new drugs to help.
