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May is ALS Awareness Month!
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 This week marks the start of ALS Awareness Month. This is our opportunity to focus the public spotlight on Lou Gehrig's Disease, our crucial chapter care services programs, global ALS research endeavors and our vital public policy efforts.
On May 13th, ALS advocacy will be in full swing with the start of the 2012 National ALS Advocacy Day and Public Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. The conference is one of our most effective ways of illustrating the importance of finding a cure for ALS and gaining the support of members of Congress. Thanks to your efforts this past year, veterans with ALS have more support from the Department of Veteran Affairs, and more federal funding is being directed toward ALS research.
This month, you have many different ways to get involved with our 31 Ways in 31 Days calendar. Every day is highlighted on the calendar with new ways to fight ALS and increase awareness. I encourage you to share our 31 Ways in 31 Days calendar with your family, friends and co-workers.
Of course, ALS Awareness Month wouldn't be complete without our “ALS Across America” campaign which features heartfelt profiles of people living with ALS throughout the country. Click here to read their stories of courage and inspiration. Reading these profiles brings to light some of the best qualities of humanity. When faced with ALS, these brave people and their loved ones find the optimism and hope to continue the fight every day. It's their perseverance that fuels our association's fire to always fight harder and go the extra mile to provide the best support and care to families living with ALS.
And finally, I'm happy to share that we received national exposure with an ALS Association ad running in USA Today this week. This will undoubtedly bring tremendous attention to our cause and hopefully motivate new people to take action. Click here to view the ad.
To learn more about how you can get involved during ALS Awareness Month, please visit our website. On behalf of everyone at The Association, I thank you for your continual support. Lets make this year's ALS Awareness Month a huge success!
Sincerely,
Jane H. Gilbert
President & CEO
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HELP SPREAD AWARENESS
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| Get a Limited Edition ALS Bracelet Today! |
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 Fighting Lou Gehrig’s Disease is so important to all of us, and we must continue to spread our message of creating a world without ALS! During ALS Awareness Month, our supporters will receive an ALS action bracelet with a $25 minimum donation! Our caring and compassionate advocates make it possible to expand the services to people touched by ALS and grow our ground-breaking research programs that bring us ever closer to a treatment and cure.
For a limited time only, we will send the ALS action bracelet to donors, so they can wear their support and spread our message to millions across the country. By making a donation, you can choose from three bracelet options to wear what matters most to your personal mission in fighting Lou Gehrig’s Disease: ‘Find a Cure,’ ‘Advocate,’ ‘Give Care.’ Supplies are limited, so act today to receive an ALS action bracelet.
During May, we are counting on you to be a leader in our mission to ending Lou Gehrig’s Disease. ALS is a horrific disease that affects too many of our loved ones. Together, we will find a way to create a world without ALS.
*Bracelets will be received within 8-10 business days. The minimum gift must be fulfilled in order to receive an ALS action bracelet. The bracelets are only available until 5/31/2012.
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Research Update
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| Cytokinetics Announces Encouraging Results from CK-2017357 |
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As reported at the 64th annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, the Cytokinetics drug CK-2017357 has been shown to be safe and well tolerated at different dosage levels both when used in combination with riluzole or alone. Currently in Phase II clinical development, the treatment has been granted orphan drug designation by the FDA and orphan medicinal product designation from the European Medicines Agency for the potential treatment of patients with ALS. In addition, the drug has received “fast track” designation from the FDA.
Read more >>
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| 2012 Sheila Essey Award Recipient Announced |
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 A clinician scientist with a strong background in molecular cell biology received the 2012 Sheila Essey Award at the 64th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) in New Orleans on April 24, 2012. Christopher Shaw, MBChB, M.D., FRACP, from the Institute of Psychiatry (IoP) at King’s College London, University of London, U.K., received the prestigious honor for his research that investigated the genetic basis of ALS.
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In the Community
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Letters of Recognition
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 By Stephanie Dufner
Eighth grade students at a junior high school in Nixa, Missouri learned a lesson in courage and strength last fall when their social studies teacher asked them to write letters of support to five military veterans battling ALS. The personalized notes resulted from a parent/teacher meeting between Nixa Junior High’s David Ferguson and Cindy Kirby, a registered nurse who works as care coordinator for The ALS Association Keith Worthington Chapter in Springfield, Missouri.
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How You Can Help
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Leaving a Legacy - Making Your Mark with a Bequest |
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Including The ALS Association in your will is one of the simplest ways to leave a lasting legacy. When supporters give a gift through a bequest, they continue to enjoy the use of their assets during their lifetime — and with no immediate cost!
Charitable bequests are flexible in that you can designate a certain dollar amount or a certain percentage of your estate. You can also specify that any funds which are left after your loved ones are provided for will go to support the fight against ALS.
One of the greatest benefits of giving a charitable bequest is that you remain in control of your assets throughout your lifetime. We understand that circumstances change and that you may need to adjust your priorities. You may choose to amend your will at any time or prepare an entirely new one if your needs change.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding charitable bequests. We’d be happy to discuss the best options to meet your needs based on your particular circumstances. If you already have a will, a simple amendment — without rewriting your entire will — can include a gift to The ALS Association.
Please contact our office for more information or if we can be of assistance.
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