The ALS Impact on the Body - What is ALS?

 ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's Disease or Motor Neuron Disease, attacks motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. This restricts the brain's ability to send messages to the muscles via the spinal cord. This process essentially detaches our mind from our body, with no way for our brain to communicate with the muscles. When the motor neurons shrink and disappear, the muscles no longer receive signals to move, leading to total paralysis.

Why ALS?

Everyday without warning an average of 15 people are stripped of their ability to challenge the limits of their body when they are diagnosed with ALS. There is no prevention, no treatment, and no cure. Our team includes members whose family have been directly affected by this disease and we fight not just for them but for every family who has seen the disastrous wake left behind by ALS. We fight to revive the body, end ALS and prevent it from affecting even more families. 

The Devastation of ALS

• There is currently no known way to prevent or cure ALS.

• The average life expectancy after being diagnosed with ALS is just 2-5 years.*

• Approximately 30,000 Americans are living with ALS and people are diagnosed throughout the world. ALS can strike anyone.*

• ALS is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 40-70.*

• Military veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS but scientists are yet to understand why.*

*Adapted from the ALS Association's website. For more information, visit www.alsa.org.