Goode Donation

Former Alabama football player’s non-profit gets $115k donation from family also affected by ALS

Click here to learn more about this amazing donation

Event Blog

MDA Gala

It’s always great to spend time with great while raising money for research. Thanks to all who came out to support the cause. Thanks to Carol and Gary Godfrey for leading the effort.

It was a pleasure to break bread with the wonderful people at my table. Seated L to R: Former Major League Baseball pitcher Jim Poole and his wife Kim. Please pray for the Poole family—Jim was recently diagnosed. My wife and I are seated next to them.

The people behind this magical event, Jordan and Ginger Ennis, continue the fight that their father once began.

Standing next to them are John and Nancy Frates, parents of Pete Frates, co-founder of the Ice Bucket Challenge.

Last but not least is Susane Cheek… my left hand. Ask her what she does and the answer is, “Whatever is Necessary!” She and my right-hand Sam Bryant (not pictured—probably at the “B”... Bathroom or Bar) are invaluable. It’s true that you’ll find out who your friends are in dark times. Surround yourself with great people before you need them.

Education

Lou Gehrig’s Disease

ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. In Greek “A” means no, “Myo” refers to muscle, and “trophic” means nourishment – “No muscle nourishment.” When a muscle has no nourishment, it “atrophies” or wastes away. “Lateral” identifies the areas in a person’s spinal cord where portions of the nerve cells that signal and control the muscles are located. As this area degenerates it leads to scarring or hardening (“sclerosis”) in the region.

ALS usually strikes people between the ages of 40 and 70, and approximately 20,000 Americans can have the disease at any given time (although this number fluctuates). For unknown reasons, military veterans are approximately twice as likely to be diagnosed with the disease than the general public. Notable individuals who have been diagnosed with ALS include baseball great Lou Gehrig, Hall of Fame pitcher Jim “Catfish” Hunter, Toto bassist Mike Porcaro, Senator Jacob Javits, actor David Niven, “Sesame Street” creator Jon Stone, boxing champion Ezzard Charles, NBA Hall of Fame basketball player George Yardley, golf caddie Bruce Edwards, musician Lead Belly (Huddie Ledbetter), photographer Eddie Adams, entertainer Dennis Day, jazz musician Charles Mingus, former vice president of the United States Henry A. Wallace, U.S. Army General Maxwell Taylor, and NFL football players Steve Gleason, O.J. Brigance and Tim Shaw.

To find a Center near you, visit http://www.alsa.org/community/centers-clinics/.
*All content copyrighted by The ALS Association.