Lou Gehrig's Disease needs a cure
Bob Hughes, The Leader-Post
Published: Friday, August 03, 2007


He is only 58 years old. He no longer can speak. He can barely move. He is confined to a wheelchair. He can communicate only with the help of a computer. He is fed through a tube surgically inserted into his stomach. And, likely soon, he will die because there is no cure for the disease that has stripped him of everything, except the love of his family and the support of his friends. His name is Jim Kazeil, and he lives with his wife Chris and their family in Nanaimo, B.C.

Jim Kazeil, whose parents settled in southwestern Saskatchewan and farmed after coming from Lebanon, once worked and lived in Regina. That was long before he ended up in B.C. with his new wife Chris and found out that his life was beginning to change. In the spring of 2003, Jim was taking sailing lessons when he tripped and toppled off the boat. It was just another in a series of unexpected falls. His brother-in-law Bob Burns, a doctor, was with him. They decided that Jim should undergo some tests to explain the falls. An almost nightmarish round of tests, drugs and misdiagnoses followed. Still, no answer to what was wrong with Jim Kazeil. Finally, the medical community found out what was wrong. Jim Kazeil was suffering from an incurable disease called ALS. It is more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease because it attacked and eventually killed the former great New York Yankee.

Simply put, this is one of the most vicious diseases known to mankind. It has no cure. It wins every battle. What started out as a few falls for Jim turned into a full scale attack by the disease on Jim's body. He has gone from using a cane to a walker to a wheelchair. He cannot move at all except for partial movement of his head. The disease attacks nerve cells, especially those in the spinal cord that control the voluntary muscles throughout the body. When those muscles fail to receive messages from diseased nerves, they eventually lose strength and die. But the mind and the senses of the disease's victims are not touched. Jim Kazeil, at 58 years of age, a proud husband, grandparent and father, is unable to walk, talk, smile, eat, write or even breathe. Yet, he is completely aware of everything that is going on around him. It is no fun, this deadly intruder on what once was a happy and healthy life.

You likely know somebody in our part of the country who suffers from ALS, or has suffered from it. I know I do. And, thus, the battle to find a cure for this disease intensifies and takes on a more personal note. It is like any other disease. Until you are touched by it in some way, it leaves your mind and you don't think about it.

There are always fundraisers going on to find cures for diseases. And ALS is no exception. There is one going on in Nanaimo on Aug. 25, organized in large part by Jim and Chris' daughter, Shauna. It's being called the ALS Adventure Challenge. It'll involve trail running, mountain biking and kayaking. Every cent of the money raised will go to research to find a cure for ALS and to support people living with the disease.

The family is reaching out to everyone everywhere to make donations to the Aug. 25 event. It really doesn't matter if the money is being sent to support a B.C. event because when a cure is found, it will benefit the world. Jim Kazeil will never benefit from a cure because the disease has already taken most of his body away from him. But, he remains committed to doing whatever it takes to find a cure so nobody else will have to go through what he has and is going through. Anyone who wants to support the fundraiser can do so by going to www.jimkazeil.com, or by dropping in at Suds Car Wash in Regina and asking for Joe or Kirby Kazeil, who operate the wash. Joe is Jim's brother.

"It's a terrible disease," Joe says. "I wouldn't wish it on anyone." n Bob Hughes can be contacted at bobhughes@sasktel.net


http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpo...f-d21b136caee8

© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007

Patients, family and friends connect at fund-raiser for ALS

Published: Friday, August 3, 2007
By Sky Barsch
Free Press Staff Writer

SOUTH BURLINGTON -- It is difficult for Deb Wehrlin to articulate how much she misses her late husband, Jeff Goyette.

An avid outdoorsman who had an easygoing way about him, Goyette meant the world to Wehrlin. He helped her de-stress after work, and "knew how to live," as she put it -- appreciating the outdoors, time away from work, and the company of others. She lost him in 2005 to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly called ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease.

To honor Goyette's memory, Wehrlin and several others who have lost family members to the rare and incurable disease are raising awareness about the September "Walk to D'Feet ALS." It's an opportunity to raise money for ALS research, patient education programs, support groups, equipment loan programs, referrals to ALS clinics and physicians, and local and nationally directed advocacy programs.

Wehrlin said it's also an opportunity to remember lost loved ones, celebrate those afflicted with the disease, comfort each other, and let family and friends of patients know they are not alone.

"It's not just about the money," Wehrlin, of South Burlington, said. "This is a day to say, 'We understand.' Come and enjoy this one day."

Wehrlin said it is difficult to predict who will get ALS, and resources are thin.

"Nobody escapes the chance," she said.

Anyone -- patients, family, friends, caregivers, sponsors and members of the public -- can participate in the walk or cheer walkers on.

Wehrlin said each year, she and family and friends host a pig roast in Goyette's honor. This year, she will run a raffle at the pig roast to raise money for the walk.

Connie Kendall lost her father to ALS. She is part of the group raising awareness for the September walk.
Contact Sky Barsch at sbarsch@ bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com or 660-1861.
WHAT IS ALS? ALS is a terminal neurodegenerative disease that attacks cells in the brain and spinal cord leading to loss of motor function, paralysis and death within two to five years of diagnosis. There is no known cause, cure or effective treatment.

-- Source: ALS Association
IF YOU GO WHAT: 2007 Walk to D'Feet ALS
WHERE: Oakledge Park, Burlington
WHEN: Sept. 22
TIME: Check-in between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., walk at 11 a.m. and bring-your-own picnic from noon to 2 p.m.
INFORMATION: events @alsanne.org, 482-4095 or visit www.alsanne.org

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/a...708030315/1007

ALS Autograph Party & Auction raises $34,435
08/02/07 - International League (IL) Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees

• Discuss this story on the International League message board...
The final totals are in and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees ALS Autograph Party and Auction held Saturday, June 28, was a huge success raising $34,435 in the fight to strikeout ALS.

The total surpassed the 2006 figure of $32,240.


"We would like to thank the entire Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees' organization and the fans that made this a wonderfully successful event," said ALS Association Events Specialist Marianne Mancini. "With these funds we are able to provide comprehensive programs and services to the ALS community and fund cutting-edge ALS research that will someday lead to a cure for this devastating disease."


In 8 years the event has taken place, the generous fans of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre franchise, have helped raise $272,403.54 for ALS.


ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive, neuromuscular disease affecting men and women in the prime of life. It robs its victims of the ability to move, speak, swallow and, eventually, breathe.


"This year's event went very smoothly and the fan support made this one of the biggest Autograph Party and Auctions we have ever held," said Yankees' Public Relations Director Mike Cummings. "It really became a regional event this year with many fans attending from all over NEPA, New York and New Jersey."


The money raised was done so through autograph signings, silent and live auctions, grab bag sales, jersey auction and donations. The single biggest auction item was a signed and framed team photo that went for $800. It was followed closely by a Phil Hughes signed jersey ($700) and Roger Clemens ball ($650).

Greg Gross behind auction to benefit ALS Association
08/02/07 - Eastern League (EL) Reading Phillies

• Discuss this story on the Eastern League message board...
Reading, PA - Reading Phillies hitting coach Greg Gross and his girlfriend Konnie Crawford are spearheading a baseball memorabilia auction and ticket raffle to benefit the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the ALS Association (alsphiladelphia.org). ALS is commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease.
The event will take place during the Reading Phillies game vs. the Bowie Baysox on Wednesday, August8 at 7:05 PM. The auction and raffle will be held in the right field food court from gate opening (6:00 PM) through the fifth inning. Prize winners will be announced after the game.

During his time with Philadelphia (1979-1988), like many Phillies players, Gross began working to help fight ALS and remained dedicated to the battle.

"When I came to the Phillies as a player I got involved with the team's annual festival (to benefit the ALS Association) and met a lot of ALS patients and got to know many of them," Gross said. "Ever since, Konnie and I stayed involved and have tried to do what we can to help whenever we can. The Reading fans are so caring we appreciate the support we know they'll lend to this effort." Gross played 17 seasons in the Major Leagues as an outfielder for the Astros, Cubs and Phillies from 1973-1989. He is fifth all-time in Major League history with 143 pinch hits. He was a member of the Phillies 1980 World Championship team.

Items available

Mike Schmidt autographed baseball

Chase Utley autographed baseball

Cole Hamels autographed jersey

Vladimir Guerrero autographed baseball

Greg Gross autographed bat

Tim "Rock" Raines autographed baseball

Pat Burrell autographed bat

Pat Burrell autographed ball

Ryan Madson autographed glove

Four Phillies tickets vs. the Dodgers 8/22 Section 130, Row 22, Seats 11-14 (raffle item)

Game information

Seats for the August 8 game vs. Bowie at 7:05 PM can be purchased online anytime at readingphillies.com and at the FirstEnergy Stadium box office and by phone (610-375-8469). The first 2,000 kids 14 and under will receive a 2007 R-Phils baseball card set thanks to Reading Area Community College. The team will also hold an autograph session on the field from 5:55-6:25 for all fans.