A Symposium on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
TORONTO, June 7, 2007: David S. Cameron, President & CEO of the ALS Society of Canada, says, “The purpose of the Symposium on ALS is to provide a unique learning experience for health-care professionals in the presence of those who are currently experiencing the disease, to offer up-to-date treatment information that is based on current research, and to convey practical and technical information for people with ALS and their families.”

Coinciding with June as ALS Awareness Month, the Symposium will be held on June 19th, 2007 at the Shaw Convention Centre in conjunction with the Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 42nd Annual Congress, and is hosted by the ALS Society of Canada and the ALS Society of Alberta.

Talks will be given by ALS Canada Director of Research Denise Figlewicz (advances in basic science); ALS researcher Michael Strong (advances in clinical care); and neurologist Chris White (environmental risk factors) among many others. Some of the other topics discussed will be: the patient perspective; patients, caregivers and health-care professionals; and physicians and researchers.

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rapidly progressive and fatal neuromuscular disorder that causes the degeneration of a select group of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. As the nerve cells die, people with ALS lose control of their muscles, which makes breathing, eating and even smiling almost impossible. Eighty per cent of those who get ALS will die within two to five years. Up to 10 per cent can live 10 years or more. Approximately 2,500 – 3,000 Canadians currently live with ALS.

The ALS Society of Canada was founded in 1977 and is the only national voluntary health organization that is dedicated solely to fighting ALS and supporting those who are affected by the disease. The organization is committed to funding research towards a cure for ALS and supports the provincial chapters that provide quality care for those who live with ALS.

The ALS Society of Alberta is dedicated to making everyday the best possible day for people with ALS by providing support, facilitating the provision of care, promoting awareness and helping to find a cure. Through increased province wide awareness ALS Alberta provides hope and access to equitable levels of support for people affected by ALS.

To register for the symposium, please contact Enzo Raponi: (416) 497-5509 ext. 205 or er@als.ca or visit www.als.ca/alsday

Participants must pre-register; those living with ALS may attend free of charge with one caregiver/friend. The cost for physicians and health-care professionals is $75 (GST and lunch included).

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Media contact:
Bobbi Greenberg
Director of Communications
ALS Society of Canada
Tel: 1-800-267-4257 ext. 208
bg@als.ca