Raising the profile of ALS
Posted by Stephen Rhodes
Three years ago Brett Yerex discovered he had ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease. He has been working to educate people about the disease ever since.
Speaking to our club, Brett said "it was tremendously lonely feeling to know I had a disease that none of my friends knew about."
Speaking to our club, Brett said "it was tremendously lonely feeling to know I had a disease that none of my friends knew about."
ALS is a fatal degenerative neurological disease that attacks the motor neurons in your system. Motor neurons no longer send signals to the muscles in your body and eventually the muscles atrophy and that leads to paralysis.
Most people die within two to five years.
Brett decided early he wanted to help raise the profile of the disease. He now speaks regularly to organizations and government about the need to improve support and services.
Brett says the impact can be devastating for families. Equipment costs alone average $125,000 per patient.
The ALS Society provides support, equipment, services and advocacy for those stricken with this devastating disease. But government needs to do more to improve the level of support and services, Brett says.
Suzanne McDonald, executive director of the ALS Society for Toronto and area, says we need to raise awareness to "improve the quality of life" for people with ALS.
"This is not a rare disease," Suzanne told the club. More than 1,000 people have ALS in Ontario at any one time.
There is some positive news. ALS and Muscular Dystrophy have partnered with the federal government to conduct new research. New drugs can prolong life up to 15 per cent. And there have been other recent discoveries that may ease suffering.
If you wish to know more about Lou Gehrig's disease visit www.alstoronto.ca.
Pictured are Chuck Lee and guest speaker Bret Yerex.
Most people die within two to five years.
Brett decided early he wanted to help raise the profile of the disease. He now speaks regularly to organizations and government about the need to improve support and services.
Brett says the impact can be devastating for families. Equipment costs alone average $125,000 per patient.
The ALS Society provides support, equipment, services and advocacy for those stricken with this devastating disease. But government needs to do more to improve the level of support and services, Brett says.
Suzanne McDonald, executive director of the ALS Society for Toronto and area, says we need to raise awareness to "improve the quality of life" for people with ALS.
"This is not a rare disease," Suzanne told the club. More than 1,000 people have ALS in Ontario at any one time.
There is some positive news. ALS and Muscular Dystrophy have partnered with the federal government to conduct new research. New drugs can prolong life up to 15 per cent. And there have been other recent discoveries that may ease suffering.
If you wish to know more about Lou Gehrig's disease visit www.alstoronto.ca.
Pictured are Chuck Lee and guest speaker Bret Yerex.