June 21 is a solstice, a turning point, if you will, and each year the ALS/MND community around the world celebrates Global ALS/MND Awareness Day to express their hope that this day will be yet another turning point in the search for causes, treatments and ultimately a cure of ALS/MND.
Since Mark’s diagnosis in 2000, he has been committed to the fight against ALS on many levels. Over the past 21 years, he has advocated locally at the state level and nationally on Capitol Hill. He’s volunteered at innumerous events with The ALS Association Mid-America Chapter and served on the Chapter’s board and Services Committee. All who know him say his ALS diagnosis does not define him, instead it motivates him to do more and to give hope to others.
Camp HLC is typically a three-day, overnight retreat for children and young adults, ages 6-21, who have or have had a loved one battling ALS. Families are invited as well. It is an opportunity to have fun, be challenged through team building exercises, and meet peers who are going through a similar experience.
Camp HLC is provided free for our ALS families by Hope Loves Company and our sponsors. All meals and activities are included.
We talked with Dr. Ahmad Al Khleifat, recent winner of the distinguished ENCALS Young Investigator Award and postdoctoral fellow from King’s College London, to learn more about his research focused on disease gene identification through next generation sequencing, coupled with advanced data analysis to deliver diagnostic tools for complex disease genetics.
It’s going to take all of us working together to make ALS a livable disease and ultimately find a cure. And it will take people like YOU. Whether you have a personal connection to ALS or just want to help make a difference for families impacted by the disease, becoming an advocate is easy.
People with ALS, caregivers and people at risk of an ALS diagnosis have the opportunity to help the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) review applications for funding to support research into expanded access.