| ALS is better known as Lou Gehrig's disease. This a a progressive and ultimately, fatal disease in which the patient's muscles gradually weaken and deteriorate. ALS usually begins with a region of the body and spreads to adjacent regions until the entire body is involved, ending in paralysis. We Sigma Pi Alpha Sorority Inc., Beta Chapter focus on raising awareness for this disease. We are part of the "Hearts fo ALS" committee with Loma Linda University's Neurology Associates. Our mission is to be there for our patients and their families when our help is most needed. We hope that with our work we bring a little happiness into our patients hearts, lift up their spirits while they unexpectedly nurture our souls. Hearts for ALS services: *Information: ALS informational manual for patients and families; ALS Nurse Educator for patients and family members. *Care: Multi-disciplinary clinic; Equipment exchange programs (wheelchairs, beds, and other medical supplies on loan). *Support: memory maker activities. This program is meant to help patients and families plan joyous "memory making" activities focusing on life, to stand out from the inevitable daily struggle with ALS. Some ALS facts..... *There is no known cure or treatment for this disease *50% of ALS patients die within 18months after diagnosis *20% survive 5 years, 10% live longer than 10 years *ALS was first discovered 1869 by a French neurologist; Jean/Martin Charcot *ALS is not contagious *Incidence of ALS is about 2 per 100,000 people *In the U.S. approximately 30,000 people are living with ALS *There are 5,000 new cases per year *There is 15 new cases everyday Types of ALS Sporadic - not hederetary, accounts for 90% of ALS cases Familial - Is hederetary, passed on by a dominant gene, and accounts for nearly 10% of ALS cases Guamian - related to the high incidence of ALS on the island nations of Guam |
| ALS AmyotrophicLateral Sclerosis Lou Gehrig's Disease |
| News Flash!!!!! ALS 2; It attacks children 12 years and older A new treatment for general ALS More details coming SOON!!! |
| For more information on ALS and the lattest news click on the following links: www.alsa.org What is ALS? ALS in Canada Living with ALS A story about ALS ALS treatment information ALS support groups |
| MAY is ALS awareness month |