A.L.S., commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, can strike anyone at any age, and begins with muscle weakness and progresses to total paralysis where patients eventually lose even the ability to speak, swallow and breathe on their own. The cruelest facet of this disease is that the mind is not affected, making the victim a prisoner in their own body.
Approximately 30,000 Americans are currently suffering from the disease with over 5,000 new cases being diagnosed each year. A.L.S. is fatal and victims typically do not survive more than 2 to 5 years after diagnosis. There is no cure, no treatments worth mentioning, and the cause is still unknown. Additionally, A.L.S. is known as an "orphan disease" meaning a disease that is "relatively rare", for which the development of drugs is considered to be "commercially nonviable". Therefore, facilities do not receive government funding or help from pharmaceutical companies.
The A.L.S. Family Charitable Foundation is dedicated to raising funds for cutting edge scientific research and patient services for those suffering from A.L.S. The Foundation's Signature Event is the "Cliff Walk®" for A.L.S. Fundraiser, a 7-Mile walk along the Cape Cod Canal in Buzzards Bay. The upcoming 11th Annual "Cliff Walk®" will be held on Sunday September 9.
Fundraiser's like the Annual "Cliff Walk ®" for A.L.S., are crucial to funding research efforts, providing financial support and much needed equipment/ramps/etc. to local patients and their families living with A.L.S and supporting several In-House Patient Programs. These programs are designed to assist patients with their unique financial needs due to the hardship of living with ALS, support patients and their families with vacations that will allow them to celebrate their lives together and provide for individuals or groups of patients or caregivers to enjoy an outing of their choosing.
For more information about the A.L.S. Family Charitable Foundation or our upcoming "Cliff Walk®" please call 508.759.9696 or visit alsfamily.org.
