ORANGE, Calif., Oct. 16, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- More than 1,000 men, women and children, joined by community leaders and numerous businesses, will take a step toward defeating Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) at the 4th Annual fundraising Walk to D'Feet ALS on Saturday, October 18, at William R. Mason Regional Park in Irvine, California.
The 5K walk is open to people of all ages and abilities. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. the day of the Walk, with opening ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. For additional information on being a corporate sponsor, forming a walk team or making a donation, please contact Lynda Bartlett at 714-938-1080.
The walk, sponsored by the Orange County Chapter of the ALS Association, will raise funds to further ALS research and help patients and their families cope with this deadly disease. The chapter provides patients with home visits by a nurse case manager, the services of a patient services coordinator, medical and communication equipment loans, emotional support via a 24-hour phone helpline, support groups and more.
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that strikes one American every 90 minutes. It attacks nerve cells and pathways in the brain and spinal cord, slowly paralyzing the muscles used in speech, swallowing, breathing and mobility. Yet, in most cases, it leaves the mind unaffected. ALS patients usually die within two to five years of being diagnosed.
"The work that the Chapter does is so important to ALS patients like me," said Patti Parillo, diagnosed with ALS in 2000. She said that without the Chapter, "I literally had nowhere to turn. They've provided me and my family with equipment, advice and support."
The Orange County chapter raised $125,000 in last year's walk, and has set a goal of $200,000 for this year. Since the walks began in 2000, nearly $475,000 has been raised.
This year's walk grand marshal, as in past years, will be U.S. Representative Christopher Cox, who has advocated ALS-specific legislation in Congress since 1999.
Many of this year's corporate sponsors have teams participating in the Walk, with names like "Orange Crushers" and "If Only."
"The friendly rivalry between the teams really helps to motivate each team captain to raise even more money," said Winnie Porter, Orange County Chapter President, whose son has ALS.
"The Chapter provides wheelchairs and special beds, as well as a nurse case manager," Porter said. "And since many ALS patients lose the ability to speak, we also provide special communicative devices that can speak for them." All services are free to patients in Orange County and surrounding areas.
The Walk to D'Feet ALS is made possible through the support of the financial and in-kind sponsors. Financial sponsors include Aurora Telecom, Bank of the West, C-Bass, California Paralyzed Veterans Association, Ford of Orange, Foundation Pile Inc, Hyundai Motor America, Jemstar Builders, Kirkhill-TA Mfg., Sicor Inc. Star Landscape and Maintenance, Total Investment Real Estate Brokers, Wal-Mart, Wells Fargo, Patriot Laboratory Services and the Yorba Linda Women's Tennis Club.
In-kind sponsors include Apria Healthcare Group, Aubrey & Associates, BioFreeze, Connell Chevrolet, Dave and Buster's, First American Corporation, Irvine Ranch Water District, Leiner Health Products, Medix Ambulance and Pepperidge Farm.
The ALS Association (ALSA) is the only non-profit national voluntary health organization dedicated solely to fighting Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) through research and patient / community services. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for persons with ALS by providing them with help, as well as hope. The Association contributes substantially to the research effort to find a cure, while also providing public education and advocacy programs.