Footballer dies after ALS battle

ISTANBUL - Former Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe defender Sedat Balkanlı died early yesterday, following a 12-year battle with ALS disease.

Known for his aerial ability and prominent record of goal scoring for a player in his position, Balkanlı played top-flight football for Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, Bursaspor, Eskişehirspor, and Konyaspor, after starting his career at Gaziosmanpaşaspor.

Balkanlı had his career-best season in the 1994-1995 campaign, when he scored an impressive number of eight goals for Galatasaray, all from headers, aptly earning him the nickname "The Golden Head."

Diagnosed with ALS in 1997, Balkanlı battled on despite doctors initially predicting he would not live more than two years.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is caused by the degeneration of motor neurons, the nerve cells in the central nervous system that control voluntary muscle movement. Former New York Yankees baseball star Lou Gehrig was one of the first famous people to die from ALS, causing the disease to be also remembered as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Physicist Stephen Hawking is probably the best-known living ALS patient now.

GRIFFITH, Gilbert Wayne, 77, Cramer

Published: Saturday, May 2, 2009 11:06 AM EDT


Gilbert Wayne Griffith, 77, of Cramer, died at home on Thursday, April 30, 2009, surrounded by his family after a long and courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).



Family and friends will be received at the Richard C. Stuart Funeral Home, Armagh, today, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral Service will be conducted at the funeral home on Sunday at 2 p.m. with hospice Chaplain Adam Kravets, interment will follow in the Armagh Cemetery. Military rites will be held by local veterans organizations. An open house celebration of his life will be held at the family home from 4 to 6 p.m.



In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the ALS Association under Gilbert Griffith’s Web page at http://web.alsa.org/goto/Gilbert.Griffith or by mail to: ALSA, 416 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15209 or to Southern Care Inc., 820 East Main Street, Roaring Spring, PA 16673, whose staff assisted in caring for Dad in his last days.

Claire Gormley Collier
Obituary Editor, posted on May 5, 2009

Claire Gormley Collier, 46, of Stamford, ended a courageous battle fighting Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Born September 9, 1962, in New Rochelle, Claire was raised in Larchmont, NY by her surviving parents Dr. Eugene Gormley and Mary Gormley.

Claire’s loving spirit lives on with her devoted husband Bill and children Kieran, Bridget and Leah. Additionally, Claire’s family includes eight siblings - Mary Lou Warren, Fr. Eugene Gormley, LC, Anne Daly, Fr. Stephen Gormley, LC, Greg Gormley, Kate Gutekunst, Phil Gormley, Lorraine Lunapiena; eleven nieces, eleven nephews, seven sisters-in-law, and seven bothers-in-law.

A graduate of The School of the Holy Child and Rosemont College, Claire majored in art. Pencil drawing of her three children brought Claire great joy. Claire’s professional career included Drexel Burnham and The “21″ Club.

Once diagnosed with ALS, Claire began a crusade for raising ALS awareness and fundraising for ALS research through her Friends of Claire Foundation. Claire’s efforts focused on changing the discriminatory “20/40″ rule, which Claire challenged up to the United States Supreme Court. Lobbying efforts led to the introduction of the Claire Collier Fairness Act, which is still pending in Congress. Claire’s efforts were recognized by the Allyson Rioux Memorial Fund, the MDA Wings Over Wall Street Spirit Award, and the ALS Association CT Chapter David Grimshaw Beacon of Light Award. Claire is most proud of her three children and their collective growth through this ALS journey. Claire is truly appreciative for all the love and support bestowed upon her and her family. Claire and her family are especially thankful to the nurses who have cared so lovingly for Claire.

Her family will receive friends at the Stamford Sheraton International Ballroom, Wednesday, May 6, 2009 from 4 pm-8 pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 10 am at St. Leo’s R.C. Church, 24 Roxbury Rd, Stamford, CT. Interment will follow at Long Ridge Union Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Friends of Claire, c/o MAC Foundation, P.O. Box 7669, Greenwich, CT 06836.

Cyclists ride for activist who died of ALS
By Hoa Nguyen • *edited* • May 6, 2009





GREENWICH, Conn. - Surrounded by friends and family, Phil Gormley hopped on his bicycle yesterday to descend and then later ascend Claire's Climb in honor of his sister, who died Monday of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease.

"We're here celebrating," said Gormley, 50, of Rye. "In honor of her freedom from ALS, we're going to ride for her today."

Claire Gormley Collier, 46, an advocate for ALS patients who spent the past six years fighting to keep the terminal illness at bay, died at her home in Stamford, Conn. Collier, who was born in New Rochelle and grew up in Larchmont, was the second-youngest of nine children. She also was the mother of three children.

After she was found to have ALS, Collier became active helping to raise awareness about the disease and advocating for others like her.

She lobbied to change rules that denied her Social Security disability benefits because the disease was diagnosed years after she left the work force to become a stay-at-home mother.

Her efforts led to the introduction of the Claire Collier Social Security Disability Insurance Fairness Act, legislation that has since stalled in Congress. She and her family also formed the nonprofit Friends of Claire to raise awareness and lobby for change.

Yesterday, her two brothers and many Friends of Claire supporters lined the roadway in front of the Greenwich American Center holding banners and photographs of Collier, who often stood on the hilly section named after her to greet triathlon participants as they reached the top.

Many of yesterday's participants are members of a training team that Phil Gormley coaches who ride on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

"It's going to be an awesome ride," Gormley said to cheers as the group began the first of 10 trips up and down Claire's Climb.

Gormley said one of the most frustrating things about the disease was knowing that his sister, who had been athletic prior to the disease, had little to no control of her muscles to make simple gestures such as shooing away a fly.

ALS attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leaving a person without the ability to move muscle, eventually leading to muscle atrophy.

"You feel everything but you can't do anything about it at all," Gormley said.

Despite her illness, Collier never complained and focused on things that mattered to her, such as advocating for ALS patients and her family, said another brother, Greg Gormley, who came from Seattle.

"She was a warrior for ALS," he said. "She was strong spiritually and a great family person. She showed us how to live life better."

Calling hours for friends and family of Collier are scheduled for 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Sheraton Hotel in Stamford, and the funeral will be at 10 a.m. tomorrow at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Stamford.



http://www.lohud.com/article/2009905060339

Businesswoman, dancer Carol Hudson dies
Longtime dance instructor died of ALS complications

Carol Hudson, 62, a longtime resident of the Mid-Columbia, businesswoman and dance instructor, died at her home outside The Dalles on May 2, 2009, from complications of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).
She was born Carolyn Sue Hursh Dec. 15, 1946 in Marshall, Ark., to John Howard and Sylvia Mae (Stills) Hursh. She was a “miracle baby.” Due to her mother’s rare, undiagnosed and, at the time, untreatable immune disorder, she arrived six weeks early and was the only one of several siblings to survive more than a few days after birth.
She moved with her parents to Washington State while still an infant, and the family later settled in Southern California. Her exuberant personality emerged at an early age, and led to her choice while in the third grade to represent her grammar school on the “Art Linkletter’s House Party” TV show.
She met her future husband, best friend and dance partner, Steve Hudson, in junior high. They were married July 30, 1966, in Buena Park, Calif. They had two daughters, Robin (Aubrecht), Zurich Switzerland, in 1970, and Tricia (Weber), Oregon City, in 1973. The family moved to The Dalles in 1978 where she helped her husband establish a State Farm insurance agency. She managed Steve and the Agency until becoming disabled in 2005.
Carol’s interests were intense and far ranging. They included her three grandchildren (Cale Darnielle, Mackenzie Darnielle, and Dixie Weber), her two Labs, gardening, painting, hats, camping, dirt bike riding, dancing and helping others learn to dance, and driving, detailing and showing her cherry red Studebaker convertible.
She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, the Trail Dusters motorcycle club, Mid-Columbia Car Club, the Studebaker Drivers Club, “Country Club” dance and the Red Hat Society. She had a large collection of hats, and enjoyed matching her hat with her mood.
Along with her husband, she helped many many people discover the fun of country dancing, and several marriages resulted from matches made in their classes. She specialized in getting shy “2-left feet” beginners out on the floor, and when she could no longer dance herself, she still came out to help and encourage others.
After her ALS diagnosis in 2005, she became an inspiration to many, and her remarkable courage and positive attitude in dealing with the disease was the focus of feature articles in The Dalles Chronicle and The Portland Oregonian.
Contributions in her memory are suggested to the ALS Association of Oregon and SW Washington.
Graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 7, at 2 p.m. at IOOF Threemile Cemetery. A celebration of her life and sharing of memories will take place at Calvary Baptist Church (3350 Columbia View Drive, The Dalles) on Saturday, May 16 at 2 p.m., with reception following at the church.

Former San Jose State wrestling star Wayne Jones died after a long battle against ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). Jones, 48, finished third at 126 pounds at the NCAA tournament in 1982, the best finish in Spartans history.

Mount Angel Seminary honors late activist

Theresa Willett

ST. BENEDICT — Longtime Catholic activist and volunteer, Theresa Marie Willett, was posthumously awarded Mount Angel Seminary’s Lumen Gentium Award at the annual appreciation dinner.

The award, named in Latin for “Light of the Nations,” recognizes individuals who contribute significantly to the pastoral mission of the church. The prize was established in 1989, the 100th year anniversary of the seminary.

Theresa Willett was born in Texas. As a child, she and her family moved to Portland where she attended The Madeleine School and Holy Child Academy.

As the first woman member of the Seminary Advisory Board, Willett initiated the first Mount Angel Seminary Benefit Dinner. The dinner still plays an important role in supporting the seminary.

“Theresa’s reputation as a fundraiser and event planner earned her the respect of the Catholic community and she was loved and revered throughout Portland for her faithfulness, creativity, commitment and hard work,” says the seminary. “Theresa was a woman with a Catholic mind and heart. She responded to the needs of many Catholic institutions. She was a model of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ who helps those in need. She was involved — active, courageous, perceptive, insightful, creative and generous.”

In spring 2005, Willet was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. After her diagnosis and referral to the ALS Association of Oregon and Southwest Washington, she became a volunteer and served on event committees and provided development advice.

The award was accepted by her husband of 31 years, Ken, and their children Catherine, Claire, Christopher and Colin.

http://www.sentinel.org/node/10059

Val Tudi



CANASTOTA — Val Tudi, 79, of 120 Will New Blvd., Canastota, died peacefully at home from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) on Sunday, May 17, 2009.

She was born on Feb. 3, 1930, in Croghan, N.Y., a daughter of George and Bertha Meister Sauer.

Val was active in Trinity Episcopal Church, Canastota, where she served as vestry member and treasurer for several years, and was a member of the choir. She was also active in the Canastota Garden Club.

She spent much of her time working in her flower gardens and landscaping her home. She loved camping, and traveling throughout the United States and Canada with her husband.

Surviving are: her husband of 36 years, Ned Tudi; a daughter, Diane (Louie); six sons, Jack (Karen), Randy (Audrey), Scott, Jeff (Holley), Michael (Sue), and David; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers; and a sister.

A funeral Mass celebrating the life of Val Tudi, 79, of Canastota, will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 30, 2009, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 341 Main St., Oneida. There will be no calling hours. Arrangements are under the supervision of the J. Homer Ball Funeral Home, 201 James St., Canastota. In her memory, contributions may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 400 S. Peterboro St., Canastota, NY 13032, or MDA ALS Division, 6493 Ridings Road, Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206.

J. HOMER BALL FUNERAL HOME, INC.

Canastota

I am sad to say that I must now add BobbyB to his own thread. He passed away after a 17 year battle with ALS, during which he provided information and education to hundreds of patients and their families through tireless campaigning and advocacy. I hope others will take up his legacy, he will be sorely missed.

Paul Wicks

My friend, BobbyB.
One of the bravest souls I ever did come to meet online.

I am so sad to read this, but thankyou Paul for posting.

*heart