Urging folks to get involved in fight against ALS
Bobby Brannigan, Spruce Pine • published July 23, 2008 12:15 am

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I have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. I can no longer work, and walk with great difficulty, and my family and I are faced with some life-changing decisions. However, I have not written for sympathy.

In the fall of 2007, Sen. Harry Reid presented SB1382 to develop a system to establish a national ALS registry. The purpose would have been to better describe the incidence and prevalence of ALS, examine the appropriate factors and include demographic factors such as race, age, gender and family history.

A similar bill passed the House, 441 yes votes, four nays and 17 not voting.

The bill has 76 co-sponsors in the Senate. Republican Sen. Tom Coburn, a medical doctor from Oklahoma, has single-handedly blocked this bill.

The number of people with ALS is only a guess. Many are misdiagnosed or never diagnosed because of quick death. With a registry we might be able to find common factors and eventually a link to so many unanswered questions about this disabling disease. Research is being done, but without supporting data, a cure may never be found.

Please join me in protest of Coburn. Let him know this hold must be lifted.

Bobby Brannigan, Spruce Pine


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