On June 15, 2019 we will hold our 16th annual Walk to Defeat ALS. The Alaska Walk to Defeat ALS is 2.5 mile walk held at Westchester Lagoon Park. This event is a place for friends, family, and loved ones of those living with or who have passed from ALS to come together to honor their loved ones and to fight back against ALS by raising money to help our local patients. More than 400 participants and spectators are expected to attend.
Over 70 years have passed since Lou Gehrig's death from ALS and yet there is still no effective treatment for this devastating illness. In ALS, the neurons which reach from the brain to spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles die. This affects one’s ability to walk, talk and eventually takes one’s ability to breathe, a necessity of life.
Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS and someone passes away from ALS. More than 100,000 people globally are currently living with ALS. This disease affects more than just the patient; it affects the entire family and their way of life.
• Most people with ALS survive an average of only Two to Five Years.
• ALS affects men and women nearly equally.
• The average annual cost of a family caring for an ALS patient is $300,000 or more
Our mission is to empower people with ALS and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support, and to lead the fight to cure and treat ALS through global, cutting-edge research.
Through the help of our donors we provide a variety of programs and services that include:
• Monthly Support group meetings across WA, AK, ID, & MT
• Monthly Caregiver support group meetings
• Patient education opportunities
• Healthcare professionals education opportunities
• Information and referrals
• Free Equipment loan program
• Local advocacy
• Augmentative Communications Support
• Respite Care Grants
• And more
You can visit www.alsa-ec.org to find out more information about the services we provide.
