Ales for ALS was the brainchild of Cheryl Hanses and her husband Mike Smith, a third-generation hop farmer in Yakima, Washington. Hanses’ family has been ravaged over the years by ALS, (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). Hanses has nine family members who she knows who either died from ALS or are currently battling the disease. Her family has one of the identified mutant genes that causes ALS.
It is the 19th Christmas in July fundraiser the tavern has hosted to raise funds for local nonprofits. This year the recipient will be Hope Loves Company Inc., a Pennington-based nonprofit that supports children and young adults who have family members affected by ALS – amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. It is a horrible degenerative disease that affects the brain and spinal cord and causes a loss of voluntary muscle control that affects movements such as talking, swallowing and walking.
The ALS Association Upstate New York Chapter and Advance Media NY will team up to raise critical funds and awareness for the fight against ALS by participating in the ALS Association’s CEO Soak on Aug. 11 at 1 p.m. at Clinton Square.
As scientific researchers continue to uncover new genetic links to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the rise of gene therapies to treat the neuromuscular disease will remain a development to watch in the coming years.
“Now that I don’t have the strength to hold a paintbrush, I have to find new ways to be creative, so I decided to paint with my wheelchair with my wheels and feet, it’s quite fun,” said Eric speaking through computer software.
Paul and Sarah Miracle are building on the “miracle” that helped them follow the Cincinnati Bengals through the playoffs and to Super Bowl LVI in California.
A beautiful day at Forest Park marked the return of the St. Louis Walk to Defeat ALS. The Upper Muny parking lot was packed Saturday as thousands of walkers gathered for the ALS Association’s walk.