Symposium To Focus On Finding ALS Treatments, Cure

HARTFORD — May is ALS Awareness Month, and the Hartford office of the Muscular Dystrophy Association is orchestrating an MDA ALS Awareness Symposium to heighten awareness of the devastating neuromuscular disease called ALS —amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Similar MDA-sponsored events are occurring nationwide.

For more than 50 years, MDA has been the leading nongovernmental funding source of research seeking treatments and a cure for the deadly disease that affects more than 30,000 adult Americans, with 5,000 learning they have the disease every year.

On average, most people die within three to five years after their ALS diagnosis. The disease destroys nerve cells that control the body’s voluntary muscles, including those that support breathing. Eventually, nearly all such muscles become paralyzed.

The MDA ALS Awareness Symposium will take place at the Hospital For Special Care from 6:30 to 7:30 pm with Dr Jinsy Andrews, on May 17. The event will begin with a presentation on the current research studies and impact that this research has had on current treatments.

Focusing on the importance of attending an MDA ALS clinic and also everyday living with ALS, Dr Andrews will offer information about ALS, as well as MDA’s efforts to provide help and hope to those affected through its research, services, advocacy, and educational programs.

MDA operates more than 35 MDA/ALS centers across the country that specialize in ALS care and research. The centers help accelerate clinical trials for ALS, and are part of MDA’s outstanding network of more than 200 hospital-affiliated clinics.

As the world’s leading nongovernmental source of ALS research and ALS health care services, MDA has invested more than $290 million fighting ALS. The association supported the development of Rilutek, the only FDA-approved drug for ALS. Today, MDA’s aggressive cure-driven research program includes the largest ALS drug discovery project in history.

In addition to providing outstanding medical care through its nationwide clinic network, MDA’s ALS services include an equipment loan program for families in need of wheelchairs, communication devices, and more.

The association also assists with medical equipment repairs; produces an extensive array of ALS-specific publications; offers support groups and online chats; and maintains a comprehensive website, www.als-mda.org.