The ALS Association’s DC Walk to Defeat ALS is celebrating its fifth year, and I was happy to participate in it’s kickoff event gathering signatures and collecting funds to raise money to find a cure.
During the 1930s, the prosperity of the consumer economy was marred by a defining event known as the Great Depression. It led to widespread unemployment and poverty. The game of baseball was at its heights as it entered the decade. Although, the game was not immune to the effects of the economy, it still delivered a number of icons, including Lou Gehrig who became one of baseball’s most beloved players. The hall of famer, however, had to cut his career short due to a debilitating neurodegenerative disease. The disorder bared his name, but today it is referred to as ALS, which is the acronym for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke fact sheet, ALS affects nerve cells that extend from the brain to the spinal cord and control certain muscle movements. The nerve cells provide communication from the brain to the voluntary muscles. The disorder causes the cells to die; thus, cutting off communication from the brain to the muscles. The muscles, unable to function, waste away. The disease can happen at any age, but it often shows up between the ages of 55 and 75. It has often affected military veterans possibly due to exposure to environmental toxins.
During the kickoff event, I met several people with loved ones impacted by the disease. Some used their grief as motivation to help fuel change and draw awareness to the disease. Other individuals saw their participation as a duty to honor those impacted by the illness. I participated because I heard about the disease and I wanted to learn about it and provide my support to help draw awareness.
As a Communications professional, I was impressed by the advanced communication devices that are being used to support people living with the disease, such as the voice banking systems that lets people store the sound of their voice.. I visited the DC/MD/VA chapter’s office in Rockville the following day and became mesmerized by the suite of technology I saw upon entering the office.
You can learn more about the disease and fundraising events like the DC Walk by visiting, www.alsa.org.