FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct. 8, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Ft. Lauderdale Walk to D'Feet ALS(r) will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2003 at Sawgrass Mills Mall in the Oasis outside the Empire Pizza Cafe. Walk to D'Feet ALS(r) is a concerted effort to raise funds benefiting research and patient care services for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Plan to join Kenny Walker of Y-100 and our patients, families and friends in a 3-mile walk through the Mall.
The Walk to D'Feet ALS(r) is open to the public and there is not a registration fee. Participants are encouraged to form teams (or walk as individuals) and collect donations to benefit the Florida Chapter of the ALS Association. Register online at www.als-florida.org or call the ALS Association Florida Chapter office toll-free at 1-888-257-1717.
Sawgrass Mills Mall is located at 12801 West Sunrise Blvd in Sunrise. Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome. Registration begins at 7:00 a.m., and the Walk ceremonies commence at 8:00 a.m. In 2002, more than 200 Ft. Lauderdale-area Walkers raised more than $33,000 to augment care for Florida patients and fund vital research.
"It takes a community of people to care for a person with ALS, and we are pleased to see the community respond by giving hope to the many patients and families living with ALS in Florida. The Walk to D'Feet ALS(r) is the primary source of funding for the many programs and services available free of charge to patients," said Dara Alexander, President of The ALS Association Florida Chapter.
Shells Seafood Restaurants is the presenting sponsor for the Florida Walks to D'Feet ALS(r). "We are proud to join in the fight against this terrible disease," said Leslie Christon, President and CEO of Shells. "This cause hits close to home for us because Tina Rodriguez, one of our team members, was recently diagnosed with the disease."
Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS and the Florida Chapter of the ALS Association currently serves more than 150 patients and patient family members in the greater Ft. Lauderdale area. Commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, 5,600 new cases of ALS are diagnosed annually. With no known cause, prevention or cure, the disease affects the function of nerves and muscles, and people with ALS have an average life expectancy of two to five years from the time of diagnosis.
Now in its 3rd year, the Florida Walks to D'Feet ALS(r) have raised over $375,000 for the nation's largest ALS research effort and local patient services programs provided by the ALS Association Florida Chapter. In 2002, ALS families and friends in 84 cities across the nation participated in Walks to D'Feet ALS(r) raising more than $6 million.
The ALS Association Florida Chapter is one of 38 chapters of The ALS Association, the only national not-for-profit voluntary health organization devoted solely to the fight against ALS. For more information, contact the Florida Chapter at 813-637-9000 or www.als-florida.org.
The following 30- and 15-second public service announcements have been prepared for use by radio broadcasting stations for the promotion of the Walk to D'Feet ALS - 2003:
:30 Radio PSA
In baseball, a walk is as good as a hit.
In the fight against Lou Gehrig's disease, the "Walk to D'Feet ALS" is a great way to score against this life-threatening illness.
Join the team to find a cure during the Ft. Lauderdale area "Walk to D'Feet ALS" on Saturday, October 25th at Sawgrass Mills Mall in the Oasis in Sunrise.
It's easy to get a Walk Team together and wheelchairs and strollers are welcome. Call the Florida Chapter ALS Association toll-free at 888-257-1717 and save Saturday, October 25th for the "Walk to D'Feet ALS."
(IF time permits, add: "Presented by Shells Seafood Restaurants")
:15 Radio PSA
Join the team to help find a cure for Lou Gehrig's Disease during the "Walk to D'Feet ALS"- Saturday, October 25th at Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise.
Call the Florida Chapter ALS Association toll-free at 888-257-1717 and save October 25th to "Walk to D'Feet ALS!"
The ALS Association Florida Chapter logo is available at: http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=700