ALS

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a fatal neuromuscular disease characterized by muscle
weakness and a progressive wasting and paralysis of the muscles. ALS is also known as
Lou Gehrig’s Disease, after the Yankee baseball legend who died from the disease in
1941.

ALS destroys motor neurons, which are among the
largest of all nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
Motor neurons are responsible for sending messages
to muscles throughout the body. As motor neurons are
destroyed, muscles weaken and lose their ability to
move. ALS causes a degeneration of the motor neurons
in the brain and spinal cord. When these cells die, it is
impossible for the brain to signal voluntary muscle
control. People with ALS may experience muscle
weakness and impaired speaking, swallowing and
breathing; and eventually total paralysis and death. In
mostcases, the mind remains sharp and alert.

ALS can strike anyone, of any race or ethnic background, at any age. Approximately 80% of
cases begin between 40-70 years of age.

The life expectancy of an ALS patient averages 2 to 5 years after the disease sets in.

ALS is not a rare disease. Of the U.S. population living today, over 300,000 Americans will die
from ALS.. Each day, 15 people are newly diagnosed with ALS.

Unless something is done, 300,000 seemingly healthy Americans living now will die from ALS. It
is a fact that, if we solve the mystery of ALS, we will learn what we need to know about other
devastating brain diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s, which afflict
over six million people. To date, there exists not one effective treatment to improve the lifestyle
of someone with ALS. Our goal is to find and fund treatments and a cure for a disease that has
been stamped untreatable for almost 150 years.

Funding medical research into the cause, treatment and cure for ALS has been the
fundamental goal of the Les Turner ALS Foundation since its establishment in 1977.