Friends have songs in their hearts for musician with ALS
By Luke Mundo | Special to the Tribune
September 20, 2007

When career musician Eric Lowen was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease on St. Patrick's Day 2004, the father of five children faced the burden of his growing medical expenses as well as the ravages of his illness.

So longtime friend and fan Janet Narish decided that the best way to help Lowen was to give back through music. An acoustic benefit show will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday in Club 1026, 1026 S. State St., Lockport, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Chicago chapter of the ALS Association. The medical term for Lou Gehrig's disease is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

"In addition to being a wonderful person, Eric has also written, composed, sung and played music that has provided healing, hope and inspiration to so many people, myself included," Narish said.



This is the second year for the benefit show, which has grown from a year ago. "Last year I had the show in my back yard," Narish said.

The show will feature more than 10 acts and an opportunity to win some special music prizes, such as a CD autographed by Brian May of Queen and an acoustic guitar signed by Fountains of Wayne.

Due to the effects of ALS, Lowen is no longer able to play guitar. He continues to sing with his musical partner Dan Navarro.

The suggested donation to attend is $15, which will cover appetizers, a drink ticket and a raffle ticket in addition to the live music. The event is for those 21 and older. Call 630-768-8477 or see www.myspace.com/eveningofacoustic for more information.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...,1091598.story

Walk for Lou Gehrig’s disease will be first in Ithaca
By Elizabeth Sile Contributing writer | September 20th, 2007

Paul Heckathorn’s walk in Cass Park on Saturday will be more than a leisurely afternoon stroll.
Heckathorn, an electronic resources assistant at the Ithaca College Library, is the honorary chair of Ithaca’s first Walk to D’Feet ALS, which begins at 11 a.m. Saturday in Cass Park. Heckathorn will walk in memory of his wife, Carol Buckley, who died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, in 2005.

According to the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (ALSA), ALS is a fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly and painfully paralyzes its sufferers. It usually starts in the extremities and moves inward until it becomes impossible to walk, speak, swallow or breathe. More than 30,000 people in the United States are living with, and will eventually die from, ALS.

Heckathorn has walked for ALS for the past three years in Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse.

He said the event has always been a very supportive and positive experience.

“I’m mostly concerned with numbers and getting people out there,” he said. “I think that we will be successful with the fundraising aspect but for me personally, that’s not the issue.”

According to Jeannine Huber, coordinator of the Upstate New York chapter of ALSA, Carol Buckley had a large group of friends in Ithaca that helped her and her husband cope with her diagnosis.

This same network of friends remained active after Buckley’s death and helped bring an ALS walk to Ithaca.

“We already had this network of people that were interested in the cause and had lost someone to ALS,” Huber said.

Walks in Buffalo and Syracuse have been ALSA’s signature event for the past eight years. Based on the average turnouts, Huber said she is hoping for at least 200 walkers.

Huber said the Upstate New York chapter of ALSA serves more than 100 patients from Buffalo to Binghamton to improve their quality of life. The clinics lend patients resources as the disease progresses and provides information and support.

“We have a loan closet with durable equipment that has everything from power wheelchairs to modified spoons,” Huber said.

ALSA has a Syracuse-based clinic where patients who have trouble traveling can meet with all of their doctors at once. Families and ALS sufferers can also use the organization’s free group counseling, Huber said.

ALSA chapters across the country send money to the national office to be allotted for
research, Huber said.

“We have a research department with a team of scientists that determine which are the most promising research experiments and which we should fund,” she said

A portion of the money raised from the walks in Ithaca and across the region are donated to the national ALS association, Huber said.

Heckathorn said he was happy to be able to give back to an organization he felt connected to.

“From the beginning, I think I’ve had a really close relationship with the Upstate New York chapter and have jumped in to help as needed,” he said.

Buckley was a local performer and for many years led The Class Notes, a coed a cappella group at Cornell University. Shortly after her diagnosis, she became physically incapable of singing and performing. Still, she remained positive and kept her outgoing spirit.

“Carol became very concerned with raising awareness,” Heckathorn said. “It was really important to her to just be out there in the public.”

Heckathorn said the route for the walk will be easy and flat so that ALS patients who are in wheelchairs can participate.

“They don’t have to sit on the sidelines,” he said.

Elizabeth Begley, a professor of speech pathology at the college, is also walking this Saturday. She has helped ALS patients adjust to life with the disease by teaching them how to usespeaking devices.

“All of the clients I’ve worked with that have this condition have taught me more than I’ve taught them,” she said.

Heckathorn said Ithaca is the perfect site for a walk because of its central location in Upstate New York.

“We’ve got a lot of really good things planned,” he said. “It’s going to be a good time for everybody. It’s always bittersweet.”

http://theithacan.org/am/publish/new...n_Ithaca.shtml

Oktoberfest to honor Brownell, raise ALS awareness



By Meredith Gardner
meredith.gardner@theindependent.com



Beer, brats and a band will help create an authentic Oktoberfest atmosphere at an event designed both to honor the late civic leader John Brownell and to benefit ALS in the Heartland.
The inaugural ALS in the Heartland Oktoberfest will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Fonner Park concourse in Grand Island.

Brownell died in October 2005 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease. He was known around Grand Island for his involvement in many community organizations and boards.

"This is going to be a true Oktoberfest," said Dale Hartwig, vice president for ancillary services at St. Francis Medical Center and one of the event's organizers.

Hartwig, along with Buzz Douthit, Mike Gloor, Gary Settje and Tim White, was a member of "The Crew," or a group of Brownell's friends that joined him during sail boating trips.

Oktoberfest was designed in part to be something Brownell would have participated in, Hartwig said.

"Captain John, in our opinion, would've enjoyed sampling beers from around the world, spending time with friends and the festivities that are typically associated with Oktoberfest," Hartwig said.

Sponsor H & H Distributing will provide beers from around the world for tasting, and H & H Catering will provide bratwurst and sauerkraut, Hartwig said. The band BD and the Boys will provide entertainment.

Steve Langan, president of ALS in the Heartland, said he hopes people not only have a good time, but are also able to learn more about Lou Gehrig's disease and the services provided by ALS in the Heartland.

ALS is a progressive motor neuron disease that has no known cause or cure. It leads to shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and loss of motor skills.

The organization provides professional consultations, monthly support groups, community referrals, an equipment loan pool and a respite care voucher program to those who have ALS, Langan said.

As many as 400 people are expected to attend Saturday's Oktoberfest, Langan said, and tickets are still available for $20 at Home Federal Bank, Fonner Park or online at www.ALSintheHeartland.org/.

Hartwig said he hopes Oktoberfest will become an annual event for ALS in the Heartland.

If you go

ALS in the Heartland Oktoberfest

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday

Where: Fonner Park Concourse

Cost: Tickets available for $20 at the door or in advance at Home Federal Bank, Fonner Park or online at www.ALSintheHeartland.org/

http://www.theindependent.com/storie...erfest20.shtml

Join Saturday walk to help fight ALS
Thursday, September 20, 2007Huntsville Times
From staff reports

Huntsville's third annual Walk to D'Feet ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) is Saturday.

Check-in and registration starts at 9 a.m. at Alabama A&M University's Louis Crews Stadium, near North Memorial Parkway and Winchester Road.


Last year's walk drew about 450 people and raised $106,000 for ALS research and patient service programs. ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a fatal neuromuscular disease that affects an estimated 350 Alabamians, including at least a dozen in Madison County.

For information on Saturday's walk, call the ALS Association's Alabama chapter at 519-9030 or visit www.alsalabama.org.

Rogers Bottle Drive Walk for ALS St. Albian’s Fall fair Heritage Bus Tour


Sep 19 2007


At a glance


Rogers school is having a bottle drive Saturday, Sept. 22 from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

People can drop off bottles at the school that morning at 765 Rogers Ave. Students will also be going around the neighborhood. Please have your bottles ready for pick-up.

Sept. 23 is Victoria’s Walk for ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which affects people’s motor skills. The walk is at University of Victoria Lot 6, with registration starting at 9 a.m. and the walk kicking off at 10 a.m. Walks in other cities have already raised $70,000 this year. Donate or register online at www.als.ca/walk

St. Alban’s church is hosting its Fall Fair Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Parish Hall, on the corner of Belmont and Ryan. The fair begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. Inside the hall will be home baked goods, coffee, donuts and other booths. There is also a white elephant sale, hot dogs, books and corn-on-the-cob.

Author and columnist Valerie Green will host this year’s Heritage Bus Tour and Tea. The bus leaves from Saanich Hall on Vernon Street and will tour Cadboro Bay and the 10 Mile Point Area, stopping at the home of artist Helen Stewart.

Afternoon tea will be served at Goward House. The bus leaves at 12:45 on Sunday, Sept. 16. For information, contact Isobel Hoffman at 475-1775 ext. 3502.

DURHAM -- Friends and family are coming to the aid of an Ajax couple.
A fundraiser will be held later this month to help raise money for Mike Gregorack's medical expenses. A year ago, the father of two was diagnosed with ASL, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. In November he is travelling to China to undergo costly stem cell therapy, which is not covered by OHIP. One hundred per cent of the contributions will go to his medical expenses.

The Sept. 28 event features appetizers, a cash bar and a silent auction. The latter includes an authentic Guy Lafleur signed jersey, Boston Bruins versus Toronto Leaf tickets, an Adam Foote signed jersey, a Kyle Wellwood signed stick and many other items.

The fundraiser is at Papps restaurant, 1755 Pickering Pkwy., Pickering, and starts at 7 p.m.

If you are unable to attend but still want to make a donation, send a cheque or money order to Mike or Donna Gregorack at 51 Gregory Rd., Ajax, Ontario, L1S 3B5.

http://newsdurhamregion.com/news/pic.../article/86184