ALS walk will fight killer disease
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
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Two to five years. That is how long someone who is diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) has to live, and one in 50 families will be affected in some form by the disease.

ALS is a neuromuscular disease that is 100-percent fatal. There is no known cure for ALS and it can strike anyone — young or old. But through funds raised by efforts such as walks and fundraising drives, there is hope a cure will be found.

Emporia will have a walk — the Walk to D’Feet ALS — starting at 8 a.m. Saturday at Jones Park. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and the walk starts at 8:30 a.m.

Linnea Brandt, patient services coordinator for the Keith Worthington Chapter in Kansas City of the ALS Association, stopped in Emporia Monday morning to talk about ALS.

She said the nerves of an ALS patient slowly die. Then, the muscles attached to the nerves die, which causes paralysis in the individual. The disease only affects voluntary muscles — muscles that a person chooses to use.

“The five senses stay intact,” Brandt said. “In most cases, the thinking stays good...People are just rendered helpless.”

This fact ultimately makes the person a prisoner in her own body. ALS sufferers know what is happening to them, but many times are rendered paralyzed.

Brandt said one-third of ALS symptoms begin with weakness in feet or legs; another third starts with weakness in hands and arms, and the other third start with mouth and throat problems.

Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS. In turn, every 90 minutes, somebody dies from the disease.

“The most important (fact) is that it’s progressive,” she said. “People are going to die. Some people live longer, some live a shorter (time).”

The money raised from Saturday’s walk will go to the Keith Worthington Chapter, which covers two-thirds of Missouri, all of Kansas and all of Nebraska. The chapter provides professional patient services, monthly newsletters, medical equipment loans, support groups for patients, care givers and survivors; educational materials and a reference library, and in-service training.

Brandt said a small amount of money raised goes to cover administrative expenses, and the rest goes directly to the services provided by the organization.

In addition to the walk on Saturday, there will be a raffle drawing for a hand-quilted quilt. Prices are $1 a chance or $5 for six chances. The drawing will take place following the walk on Saturday. T

The quilt was made by Marie Hinderliter, Lynette West, Marilyn Hinderliter, Carol Wagner, Janel Palmer, Kelly Bosak, Debi Burenheide and Sandy Caves.

F For information on ALS go to www.alsa-midwest.org.

Walk to D’feet ALS

When:

Registration at 8 a.m. Saturday, walk at 8:30 a.m.

Where:

Jones Park, shelter and play area

Contact:

Gary Ace, 342-9555

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