Elizabeth's Concert of Hope


	About ALS Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), sometimes called Lou Gehrig's is a rapidly progressive fatal neuromuscular disease. It is characterized by the degeneration of nerve cells leading to generalized muscle paralysis. There is little impairment of the brain, sight, touch, hearing or smell. It is 100% fatal. Is it rare? ALS is not a rare disease. It affects over 3,000 Canadians resulting in 2 to 3 deaths per day, a comparable death rate to AIDS (in the U.S. 30,000 Americans are affected). The same number of patients are diagnosed each year with ALS as with MS, but most ALS patients die within 2 to 5 years, indicating a higher mortality rate. "ALS is clearly the most common cause of neurological death on an annual basis." - Dr. Michael Strong, research scientist at the Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario How does one get ALS? Generally the cause is unknown. In about 5 to10% of cases there is a hereditary pattern. Research is being conducted in areas relating to genetic predispositions, viral or infectious agents, environmental toxins, and immunological changes. Who gets ALS? ALS is not contagious, does not discriminate, and can strike anyone at any age. The usual onset is between 40 and 60, but people under 20 have been diagnosed. ALS is usually fatal within 2 to 5 years of diagnosis. How can I help? Education and financial support are key to advancing research and helping those affected die with dignity. Contact: ecohtour@cogeco.ca ©2007 Concert of Hope

About ALS

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), sometimes called Lou Gehrig's is a rapidly progressive fatal neuromuscular disease. It is characterized by the degeneration of nerve cells leading to generalized muscle paralysis. There is little impairment of the brain, sight, touch, hearing or smell.

It is 100% fatal.

Is it rare?
ALS is not a rare disease. It affects over 3,000 Canadians resulting in 2 to 3 deaths per day, a comparable death rate to AIDS (in the U.S. 30,000 Americans are affected). The same number of patients are diagnosed each year with ALS as with MS, but most ALS patients die within 2 to 5 years, indicating a higher mortality rate.

"ALS is clearly the most common cause of neurological death on an annual basis."
- Dr. Michael Strong, research scientist at the Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario

How does one get ALS?
Generally the cause is unknown. In about 5 to10% of cases there is a hereditary pattern. Research is being conducted in areas relating to genetic predispositions, viral or infectious agents, environmental toxins, and immunological changes.

Who gets ALS?
ALS is not contagious, does not discriminate, and can strike anyone at any age. The usual onset is between 40 and 60, but people under 20 have been diagnosed. ALS is usually fatal within 2 to 5 years of diagnosis.

How can I help?
Education and financial support are key to advancing research and helping those affected die with dignity.

Contact: ecohtour@cogeco.ca