Media Advisory - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Society of Canada -
Vincent Damphousse

Invitation to the Health, Sports and Community Media

TORONTO, April 28 /CNW/ - The ALS Society of Canada to award former NHLer Vincent Damphousse and his wife Allana with an Honourary Life Member Award in recognition of their volunteer contributions to Canada's ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) community at a special Awards Dinner, on Saturday May 1st, 2010, in conjunction with ALS Canada's Annual General Meeting and Sixth Annual Research Forum.

    
    WHO:      Vincent and Allana Damphousse, official spokespersons of The
              ALS Society of Quebec
              Dr. Denise Figlewicz, PhD, vice president of research, ALS
              Canada
              Dr. Heather Durham, PhD, professor, department of
              neurology/neurosurgery Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill
              University
              Dr. Charles Krieger, PhD, clinician researcher, Vancouver
              Coastal Health ALS program
              Other special guests include: Michael Gardner, Chair of the ALS
              Canada board of directors and David Cameron, President & CEO,
              ALS Canada

    WHAT:     Interview and photo opportunity with Vincent and Allana
              Damphousse, top Canadian researchers/clinicians and ALS
              executives

    WHEN:     Saturday May 1st, 2010 at 6:00 PM (Cocktail), 7:00 PM (Dinner)
              RSVP required

    WHERE:    The Sheraton Gateway Hotel (Terminal 3) Toronto International
              Airport, Alpine Foyer * complimentary parking
    

ABOUT ALS

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, is a devastating and fatal neuromuscular disease. It is sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease after the legendary New York Yankees first baseman, Lou Gehrig, who lost his battle with ALS at age 38.

ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rapidly progressive and fatal neuromuscular disease that causes the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. As the nerve cells die, people with ALS lose control of their muscles, which makes breathing, eating and even smiling almost impossible. Eighty per cent of those diagnosed will die within two to five years. There are approximately 2,500 - 3,000 Canadians living with ALS today

There is no way to predict who will develop ALS - it strikes men and women of all ethnicities, all over the world. While symptoms usually first appear in middle age, the disease can also have its onset as early as the teen years.

ALS Society of Canada

The ALS Society of Canada, founded in 1977, is the only national voluntary health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS and support for those living with ALS. The Society funds research towards a cure for ALS, supports our provincial partners in the provision of quality care for those living with ALS, and provides information to build awareness about the disease.

Sixth Annual Research Forum

The sixth annual research forum is being held this weekend - May 1-3 in Toronto. The forum brings together the Canadian research community to discuss the underlying biology of ALS, the development of effective therapies, and improvements in the quality of care for ALS patients and their families. More than 100 researchers and young investigators are attending this three-day conference.

Honourary Life Member Award

Honourary Life members are named in recognition of an extraordinary volunteer contribution to the Canadian ALS community. The Honourary Life Member recipients this year are: Vincent and Allana Damphouse, Dr. Charles Krieger and John and Madonna Kavanagh.

For further information: Bobbi Greenberg, Director of Communications, Tel: [phone] ext: 208, [email protected]