Search Results for Google


Print this Release

August 30, 2006 01:02 PM US Eastern Timezone
The ALS Association Launches New TV Public Service Announcement Campaign; 24-Year-Old Man with ALS and The Association's Science Director Ask for Public's Help
CALABASAS HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 30, 2006--Two new public service announcements (http://www.alsa.org/media/psa.cfm) promoting The ALS Association's Walk to D'Feet ALS(R) and aggressive drug discovery programs are among the most emotionally powerful PSAs ever released by the organization in the fight against ALS.


The 20 and 30 second PSAs feature a young man from Huntsville, Ala., who played in his high school's marching band and enjoyed backpacking before being diagnosed with ALS five years ago as a college freshman.

In the PSA titled "The ALS Association, ALS Can Strike Anyone: Join the Walk to D'Feet ALS," 24-year-old Eric Obermann and his family ask the public to join The Association's national signature fundraising event, the Walk to D'Feet ALS, and defeat ALS together. The PSA shows images of how Obermann looked as a teenager and his present condition, using a wheelchair and breathing with the assistance of a ventilator.

In both PSAs, Eric Obermann communicates with the help of assistive communications technology. Toward the end of the Walk PSA, the computerized voice asks viewers to "Please register today for the Walk in your area."

Obermann, who told his story to the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Resources, also appears in "The ALS Association, TREAT ALS: Discovering New Drugs for Lou Gehrig's Disease" along with The Association's science director, Lucie Bruijn, Ph.D. Both ask the public for its support for The Association's Translational Research Advancing Therapy for ALS (TREAT ALS). Headed by Bruijn, the new research initiative aims to move promising drug therapy approaches more rapidly into the clinic for clinical trials and then patient treatment.

"What makes these PSAs so special is the amazing young man, Eric Obermann, who appears in both," said Jeff Snyder, The Association's vice president of communications. "He had the courage to go before the cameras and record for the world to see the impact ALS has had on his life and his family."

The Association's two previous PSAs, prestigious Telly Award winners, have been seen by close to 800 million people in the last two years.

The Association is the nation's only national not for profit voluntary health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS.

Contacts
The ALS Association
Gary Wosk, 818-587-2241At A Glance
The ALS Association
Source: via Business Wire
Updated 02/03/2005 by company
Headquarters: Calabasas Hills, CA
Website: http://www.alsa.org
CEO: Gary Leo
Employees: 40
Organization: Non-profit

Print this Release




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terms of Use | © Business Wire 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------