Comments on: New Progress Against ALS

Seventy Years After Gehrig's Famous Speech, the Fight Against ALS Continues

[garyaiello]

Dear Katie,thank you so much for bringing this horrific disease to the attention of the world.i am a 59 yo man from north Jersey with ALS.we so need help from this death sentence,not only for the PALS but for our families who watch us deteriorate.you have a youg lady on your staff,her name is Sam,she is friends with my son,you autographed a picture for my son,'Gary Good luck at Merriil Lynch'.thank you for your kindness.please dont give up on us,time runs out everyday for us.
God Bless you Katie,gary aiello

[Joanartstudio]

To alstephenson below, there IS no test for ALS thru an EMG or anything else. WHEN THEY CAN FIND NO OTHER reason to blame it on, its ALS. People wait for months to get into Mayo Clinic, but from a neurologist who worked there, they do not know anymore than anyone else. By the time they get in there, the disease has progressed, and they say its ALS.
Keri probably had bourielis (something like LYME, which also has no test to confirm it). Had it been recognized and treated, she would probably be here and free of all disease today. We face alot of ego in the medical field, because everything outside that world is quackery, their words, not mine. What Keri had, went undiagnosed, untreated, and it morphed into ALS. Its happening every day, I have no doubt.

[rosaliecarr]

Dear Katie,
Thank you for your story on hope for ALS patients. My husband died at 34 years old after an eight year battle with ALS. He has been gone for 19 years and I still am hoping for a cure. Your story brought tears to my eyes and gave me a quiet moment to think about how lucky I was to have been loved by such a brave, courageous man. For all ALS patients I continue to have hope and prayers. Thank you, thank you.

[LRESA500]

I am a resident physician in Virginia considering a career in Neurology. I believe we will have decent treatments for ALS within the next 2 decades that will greatly improve the quality of life... Hopefully sooner.Unfortunately I think a cure is several decades away probably in the latter part of this century. To the patients of today...never give up hope. Your body has lost its ability to do something properly and science needs to discover how to restore it. In theory that should be a lot "easier" than treating a condition aquired in the womb that presents itself at birth.

[arsm2]

I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ALS...I'M IN MY 70'S AND IT'S BEEN SLOW PROGRESSING OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, AND NO ONE KNEW WHAT IT WAS UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN IT STARTED AFFECTING MY LEGS...I'VE LOST THE USE OF MY LEFT HAND AND ARM...I'M ON A FOOD SUPPLEMENT CALLED LUTIMAX, PLEASE GO TO LUTIMAX.COM AND READ ABOUT IT...ALSO, I'M TRYING MIRCO CURRENTS TO STIMULAYE THESE NEURONS...I'VE ONLY BEEN USING THIS FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS, BUT IT'S GIVEN ME SOME HOPE...LET'S ALL PRAY THERE'S SOMETHING MORE OUT THERE FOR US...KEEP THINKING POSITIVE...

[pennyabreo]

Thank you very much for airing the segment on ALS. I am a 42 year old wife, mother of 2, who has been diagnosed with ALS 18 months ago. I am still able to do many things independently, including working as a teacher. Your segment gives me faith and encouragement that researchers are working to better understand this fatal disease. I live each day to the fullest and "will never give up." Please continue to update this research for me and others with ALS....Anxiously,faithfully,waiting for a cure!!

[ladycdw1]

Make July 4th National ALS Awareness Day Petition
Source: www.petitiononline.com
Make July 4th National ALS Awareness Day Petition, hosted at PetitionOnline.com
On July 4th 1939 Lou Gehrig stood on the field at Yankee Stadium in front of a packed house and said goodbye to the game that he loved so much. The spotlight has never shone as brightly on ALS as it did with the passing of Lou Gehrig. This July 4th will mark the 70th anniversary of that historic day in baseball and it would be the perfect opportunity for fans of our great American pastime and for the MLB franchises to stand up together in a statement to ALS that we will NOT be defeated. We WILL find a cure. We WILL honor the memory of Lou Gehrig and everyone who has been touched by this terrible disease. The time is now and we CAN do something to make this happen.

[alstephenson]

My daughter was diagnosed in 2008, after countless visits to neurologists, with ALS. She is now 38 years old and has 4 year old twin boys. Katie, thank you for the report. There is not much attention given to ALS. I hope you continue to give updates on this terminal disease.

[maisherm]

Thank you Katie! both my mother and her sister died from ALS. My 6 siblings, cousins, and myself are all holding our breathe to see if it is a familia form of ALS.

[alstephenson]

I'm so sorry about your daughter. My daughter turned 38 June 23. She has 4 year old twin boys. She was diagnosed in 2008 with ALS after countless visits to neurologists saying it could not be ALS because it was only affecting her right side. Finally, an EMG confirmed ALS. She still can walk, but is very unsteady and has a power chair she uses when she has to walk any distance. Again, I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter.