As you may know, my dad battled ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease) between 2010 and 2015. He lost his battle with ALS in February of 2015. He fought this disease with great support from the Les Turner ALS Foundation. Every September since 2011, my family and friends, the "Pop Squad," have raised money for this foundation through the ALS Walk4Life.
The Les Turner ALS Foundation made our experience with ALS tremendously easier and more manageable. Between November of 2011 and July of 2012 my dad spent many weeks in five different hospitals due to aspiration pneumonias, infections, and other health-related issues. Each hospitalization weakened him. Les Turner nurses and staff were there to:
--provide a stair lift and power recliner for my dad’s use when he returned home;
--recommend caregiver agencies, rehab hospitals, and many equipment vendors;
--facilitate our support group for ALS patients, family, and caregivers which informs and encourages;
--serve as a sounding board for our many questions and concerns during my dad’s hospitalizations by arranging family meetings and video presentations and simply by their consistent presence whenever my family needed them.
One significant discovery occurred this past July, when researchers at Project MinE (funded by the ALS Association) identified a common gene, NEK1, which contributes to ALS. Also in the media has been a new movie, “Self,” documenting former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason’s battle with ALS.
One of the hardest things about being diagnosed with ALS, or having a loved one diagnosed with ALS, is the loss of hope. At this point, there is NO CURE. Most ALS patients live only two to five years after its onset. My dad fought ALS for five years, his spirits remaining high in spite of these difficulties.
All of the members of the “Pop Squad”, including all twelve grandchildren, are doing their part to raise funds for the walk. I can’t say that money raised for ALS will promise a cure in our lifetime, but I do know that all of your donated dollars will be used to help the patients and families living with this fatal neuromuscular disease. The Les Turner ALS Foundation was tremendous support to my family, and it continues to offer support to countless other families. Additionally, it helps fund two world-class research programs relentlessly pursuing a cure for ALS.
The Les Turner ALS Foundation made our experience with ALS tremendously easier and more manageable. Between November of 2011 and July of 2012 my dad spent many weeks in five different hospitals due to aspiration pneumonias, infections, and other health-related issues. Each hospitalization weakened him. Les Turner nurses and staff were there to:
--provide a stair lift and power recliner for my dad’s use when he returned home;
--recommend caregiver agencies, rehab hospitals, and many equipment vendors;
--facilitate our support group for ALS patients, family, and caregivers which informs and encourages;
--serve as a sounding board for our many questions and concerns during my dad’s hospitalizations by arranging family meetings and video presentations and simply by their consistent presence whenever my family needed them.
One significant discovery occurred this past July, when researchers at Project MinE (funded by the ALS Association) identified a common gene, NEK1, which contributes to ALS. Also in the media has been a new movie, “Self,” documenting former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason’s battle with ALS.
One of the hardest things about being diagnosed with ALS, or having a loved one diagnosed with ALS, is the loss of hope. At this point, there is NO CURE. Most ALS patients live only two to five years after its onset. My dad fought ALS for five years, his spirits remaining high in spite of these difficulties.
All of the members of the “Pop Squad”, including all twelve grandchildren, are doing their part to raise funds for the walk. I can’t say that money raised for ALS will promise a cure in our lifetime, but I do know that all of your donated dollars will be used to help the patients and families living with this fatal neuromuscular disease. The Les Turner ALS Foundation was tremendous support to my family, and it continues to offer support to countless other families. Additionally, it helps fund two world-class research programs relentlessly pursuing a cure for ALS.