British Government donates to Israeli research

Posted Wednesday, Jun. 20, 2007 on IsraCast.com

Ambassador Tom Phillips


40,000 Shekels (5,000 Pounds) is the amount granted by the British Government for IsrALS, an Israeli non-profit organization which focuses on research into the debilitating disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The grant was awarded by the British Ambassador to Israel, Tom Phillips.


British Ambassador Phillips: 'My government is delighted - following the visit by Professor Stephen Hawking last December - to donate to IsrALS. We hope this money will help bring us closer to the day when a cure is found for this disease. This grant will also help further foster the links between Israel and British researchers.'

A.L.S. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is the most severe illness of a group of neurodegenerative diseases that damage motor neurons. A.L.S. is a rare and incurable disease. In America A.L.S is also known by the name Lou Gehrig's disease, after the famous baseball player who died of the disease in the 1930's; in England as M.N.D. Motor Neuron Disease; and in France as Maladie de Charcot for one of the first doctors to document the disease. The disease attacks the motor neurons, which the brain uses to control most of the body's voluntary muscles. As a result these neurons are destroyed and the patient can no longer use his muscles. This leads to muscle deterioration and eventually to complete paralysis. As the disease progresses the muscles that are used to speak, swallow, breathe and control the limbs, gradually stop working in no particular order. In most cases it does not effect intellect, memory or the senses.
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