ALS Society of BC
Facts about ALS
"ALS is clearly the most common cause of neurological death on an annual basis."
- Dr. Michael Strong, research scientist at the Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario
? ALS, often called Lou Gehrig's Disease, means Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
? Sometimes it is called Motor Neuron Disease.
? ALS can strike anyone. It can hit at anytime, regardless of age, sex or ethnic origin.
? The usual age of onset is 55-65, but people under 20 have been diagnosed.
? ALS is not a rare disease. Of every 100,000 people, between 6 and 7 will be diagnosed with ALS.
? Between 1,500 and 2,000 Canadians currently live with ALS.
? Two or three Canadians die each day of this devastating disease.
? In at least 90% of cases, it strikes people with no family history of the disease.
? ALS always results in death. 90% of people with ALS die within 5 years of diagnosis.
? A person with ALS can require equipment valued at more than $40,000.
? Nursing care can cost several times that amount.
? The cause is unknown. There is no known cure or treatment that prolongs life significantly - yet.
I made on online donation to the ALS Society of Canada in memoriam of Kevin's mother, and put in all our names. Found some florists in Castlegar today and arranged for flowers to be sent to the house. Sometimes having a vivid memory is a curse. I keep hearing Kevin's mum's voice... I haven't heard it for a long time now because she wouldn't phone the office after her speech began to get effected. But for years Kevin's mum would phone the office, and I would joke around with her before I passed her on to Kevin. I never had to ask who it was, I always knew her voice. One year ago this month Kevin's parents were at the office to celebrate Ashley's birthday with all of us, and his mother was too self-conscious to speak. I made a mental note, and took lots of photos and video. Ashley, who turned 2, wore this adorable pink outfit that Kevin's mum bought for her. I made a CD for Kevin last month with the video and put a jazz version of the "Pink Panther" music as the soundtrack. I can't believe that was only one year ago.
Life is indeed very fragile. Time is precious. Don't let disease continue to take away loved ones. Fund research.
