General

The ALS Association is funding a continued line of investigation that will build on new evidence that an aspect of inflammation may actually help rather than harm in the progression of ALS.

Denise Figlewicz, PhD, will join the ALS Society of Canada on September 5, 2006 as Director of Research. The position of Director of Research is a newly created position for ALS Canada. Dr. Figlewicz’s research career has focused on mammalian nervous system development and pathology, specifically molecular genetic and cell approaches to investigate neuromuscular diseases such as ALS. She has been involved in the ALS research field since the 1980s.

A Cape Town couple were accused of exploiting desperate patients by providing them with ampoules containing cord stem-cells from a registered laboratory. The couples clients were from across the world and suffered from neurological degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and cerebral palsy.

Toronto-based Amorfix Life is joining the American-based Biogen of Cambridge, Massacheusettes and includes options to license the worldwide rights to Amorfix's technology. Amorfix develops and commercializes therapeutic treatments for Lou Gehrig's Disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis).

Inspired by the unfortunate death of Tom Watson's long-time caddy Bruce Edwards who died of ALS, golfers can now support the fight against ALS by purchasing a hotdog at the end of nine holes.

Borsellino died Saturday, May 27th after battling ALS for over a year and a half.

ALS stole the fast talking New Yorker’s speech and his muscle control, but incredibly, Borsellino kept writing his Des Moines Register column until three weeks before his death.

In a state with no ALS Association chapter and very few resources for patients and their families, Tammy Brown is leading the fight for an increase in governmental aid and medical research. Brown and her family are headed to Washington, DC to take part in the 2006 National ALS Advocacy Day and Public Policy Conference.

Marischal (Mop) Astwood, former PHC Zebras and Bermuda international footballer was diagnosed with ALS last February (2005). “All I can encourage others is not to take anything for granted as I have now found out,” a wheelchair confined Astwood told The Royal Gazette.

CytRx Corporation announced that Steven Kriegsman, President and CEO of CytRx, is scheduled to present at the UBS Global Pharmaceuticals Conference on Monday, April 24, 2006 at 3:00 PM EST.

The website will be available in audio live starting at 3:00PM EST; to find out more please read the entire article.

Barton Schwieger of Waterloo Iowa has passed away from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis at the age of 64. Barton served as a senator in the 1970's and was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease in 1998.