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In this issue:
Letter from the President and CEO Fight ALS Every Payday
Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS in the United States, and every 90 minutes another person will lose their fight to this disease. You have the power to fight Lou Gehrig's Disease, and fortunately, there is an easy way to help by giving through payroll deductions. You can contribute to The ALS Association through Community Health Charities, a federation of premier health organizations that have joined together to raise charitable contributions in the workplace. Your gift will fund our Chapter’s patient services programs as well as our global research and advocacy efforts. To find out how you can participate in the CHC workplace giving program, please visit our website. Your gift – no matter how large or small – will have a profound impact on people and their loved ones struggling with this awful disease Sincerely,
Patient and Caregiver Services Ask the Doc: Slowing
the Progression of ALS Monthly “Question and Answer” with Dr. Kasarskis — The topic this month is “Can You Slow the Progression of ALS?” Read the full story. The ALS Association Arizona Chapter has a variety of resources to help you improve your quality of life. Please learn more about our support groups and caregiver tips to enhance your ability to deal with the physical and emotional issues associated with ALS.
Research TDP-43 Proteinopathy
and Motor Neuron Disease in Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
Researchers from Boston University are publishing a new study in the Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology on the relationship of head trauma and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The researchers found toxic proteins in the spinal cords of the three athletes. Those same proteins have been found in the brains of athletes with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a disease linked to head injuries that causes cognitive decline, abnormal behavior and dementia. Previous studies have linked TAR DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) to some familial forms of the disease, and although etiology of sporadic ALS is unknown, it has long been suspected to involve a complex interaction between multiple genetic and environmental risk factors. Among the many environmental factors that have been considered as possible triggers of the neurodegenerative cascade in ALS are a history of trauma to the brain and spinal cord, participation in varsity athletics and a slim physique, and strenuous physical activity. Click here to read more. ______________________________________________________________________________________ ALS Association
Announces New Research Grants
The ALS Association has announced newly-funded research grants for the August 2010 cycle. Our TREAT ALS Portfolio (Translational Research Advancing Therapies for ALS) is a research endeavor enabling important research to progress from the laboratory to the bedside. The focus of the program is to support novel ideas, build tools, partner with industry to identify new potential therapies and support the infrastructure for clinical trials, with the goal to find meaningful treatments for ALS and a cure. In addition, through the Milton Safenowitz Post-doctoral Fellowship program, young scientists are encouraged to focus their interest in ALS research. New research studies funded this year will focus on areas of stem cell research, genetics, therapy development, biomarkers and neuroinflammation. Three new Milton Safenowitz Postdoctoral fellows will focus on the genes recently identified for familial ALS, TDP43 and FUS; new techniques to identify genes for familial ALS; and a novel triple transgenic mouse to identify the role of inflammation in ALS. Click here to read more.
How You Can Help
Volunteer and Help Those in the ALS Community
There are many ways to take a stand against Lou Gehrig’s Disease including reaching out to The ALS Association Arizona Chapter and contributing your time, talent or other resources. Many people volunteer at the chapter because they want to put their education and training to good use, or feel they have the time to make a difference. Others volunteer to reach out to our local ALS community and meet new people. For those who want to volunteer at The ALS Association Arizona Chapter, there is a wide range of opportunities, even if physical abilities are limited. There’s something about giving your time and knowledge to others that has a significant intrinsic value. So what are you waiting for? Stand out from the crowd and get involved with our chapter today! Click here to contact us about volunteer opportunities.
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