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ALS Awareness Month
ALS Awareness Month
May 1, 2023
ALS Awareness Month
May is ALS Awareness Month. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive wasting away of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal column that control the muscles that allow movement. Over a period of months or years, ALS causes increasing muscle weakness, inability to control movement, and problems with speaking, swallowing, and breathing. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. ALS attacks cells in the brain and spinal cord that are needed to keep muscles moving, leading to muscle weakness and paralysis.
The awareness color for ALS is blue and white pinstripes. Personalized Cause offers both a personalized and non-personalized blue pinstripes enamel awareness ribbon pin. The personalized pin can be engraved with a name, date, or message. We also offer blue and white pinstripe fabric ribbons. Some people choose to use the color red for ALS. In that case, wear a red enamel awareness ribbon pin, red fabric ribbon, or red silicone awareness wristband bracelet.
Each May during ALS Awareness Month, the ALS community comes together to raise awareness of the disease, share stories from people living with ALS, show support for caregivers, families, and care workers, and shine a spotlight on those who dedicate their lives to finding a cure. ALS Awareness Month aims is to raise awareness about ALS, gather support for those affected by this condition and to encourage funding and research for a treatment or cure.
The Discovery of ALS
ALS was first recognized as a disease in 1869, by Jean-Martin Charcot, a French neurologist. ALS is sometimes referred as Lou Gehrig’s disease, named after Lou Gehrig. Lou Gehrig was a beloved first basemen whose career was stopped in 1939 when he developed ALS at the age of 36. At that time, ALS was given widespread public attention due to the high profile of Lou Gehrig.
What causes ALS? Learn More During ALS Awareness Month
The exact cause of ALS is unknown. In some cases, ALS may affect multiple members or different generations of the same family. Treatment focuses on helping keep muscle strength and independence for as long as possible. Treatment includes medicines to slow the disease and help with symptoms, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Supportive devices also help with daily tasks.
Types of ALS – ALS Awareness Month Information
These instances of familial ALS likely have a genetic basis. Familial ALS is sometimes associated with changes (mutations) in several genes. More commonly, there is no familial association. These sporadic ALS cases presently do not have any identifiable cause. However, they are occasionally associated with gene changes (mutations).
What are the Symptoms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?
The first sign of ALS is often weakness in one leg, one hand, the face, or the tongue. The weakness slowly spreads to both arms and both legs. This happens because as the motor neurons slowly die, they stop sending signals to the muscles. So the muscles don’t have anything telling them to move. Over time, with no signals from the motor neurons telling the muscles to move, the muscles get weaker and smaller.
Additionally, ALS causes:
- Muscle twitching.
- Trouble using the hands and fingers to do tasks.
- Problems with speaking, swallowing, eating, walking, and breathing.
- Problems with memory, thinking, and changes in personality. But these are not common.
ALS, however, does not cause numbness, tingling, or loss of feeling.
The Ice Bucket Challenge
Nothing has brought more ALS awareness than the Ice Bucket Challenge during the summer of 2014. The viral sensation spanned the globe, forever changing the future and trajectory of ALS. And the awareness and funds generated by the social media phenomena put researchers on a path to end this disease.
Awareness of ALS took the world by storm. A media frenzy ensued, broadcasting professional athletes and celebrities taking part, often times trying to “one up” the next with their own unique or creative way to be doused with ice water. From Bill Gates and Oprah to former president George W. Bush and Taylor Swift, awareness and support for the ALS community poured in. The Ice Bucket Challenge was the beginning of the end of ALS.
