Team ALS-C3 races to raise awareness of ALS and the work of the South Texas Chapter of the ALS Association.
ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy. ALS causes weakness with a wide range of disabilities. Eventually, all muscles under voluntary control are affected and patients lose their strength and the ability to move their arms, legs and body. When muscles in the diaphragm and chest wall fail, patients lose the ability to breathe without ventilatory support. Most people with ALS die from respiratory failure, usually within 3 to 5 years from the onset of symptoms. However, about 10 percent of ALS patients survive for 10 or more years. [from alsa.org and ninds.nih.gov] Earlier this year we were forwarded an email written by a woman whose mother was properly diagnosed with ALS in part because of information she learned from a TV appearance we made. That another person is struggling with ALS is a tragedy. But that she isn’t struggling alone or in the dark is at least some small consolation. And it is entirely the fulfillment of our team’s mission. We ride and race to raise awareness so that someone in our community won’t have to suffer without explanation or support. To learn more about ALS or how you can help please visit the ALS Association website.
