May is ALS Awareness Month

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually lead to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.

The ALS Association is the only national not-for-profit health organization dedicated solely to lead the fight against ALS. The Association covers all the bases - research, patient and community services, public education, and advocacy - in providing help and hope to those facing the disease.

MISSION: To lead the fight to cure and treat ALS through global, cutting-edge research, and to empower people with Lou Gehrig’s Disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support.

VISION: In the quest to create a world without ALS, our vision is to care for and support all people living with Lou Gehrig’s Disease as we leave no stone unturned in our relentless search for a cure.

Order your ALS Awareness Postage Stamps here.