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May. 15th, 2006 12:42 pmToday is National ALS Advocacy Day. ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a degenerative condition that is nearly always fatal within five years. It typically strikes men in their 50's or older, but it can develop in either sex at any age. My cousin was diagnosed in late 2002 at the age of 35. I'm sort of amazed he's survived this long, but he's not doing well and is currently receiving hospice care.
Because life expectancy for patients diagnosed with ALS is so short, there aren't many people at any one time who have the disease, maybe 30,000 in the US right now. But each year over 5,500 people are diagnosed with ALS, and they and their families need treatment, counseling, and equipment. Organizations like The ALS Association and its local chapters provide resources for patients and families living with this terrible disease.
Because life expectancy for patients diagnosed with ALS is so short, there aren't many people at any one time who have the disease, maybe 30,000 in the US right now. But each year over 5,500 people are diagnosed with ALS, and they and their families need treatment, counseling, and equipment. Organizations like The ALS Association and its local chapters provide resources for patients and families living with this terrible disease.
