Project ALS Announces Nationwide Don't Talk-a-Thon Fundraiser On Sunday, May 21 During ALS Awareness Month

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a brain disease that targets cells called motor neurons, which reside in the brain and spinal cord. In ALS, as motor neurons die, a person progressively loses the ability to walk, speak, swallow, and breathe. Despite research progress, the complexity of the brain remains a major hurdle in finding effective treatments and a cure for ALS. ALS affects adults of all ages, from teens to seniors, and is usually fatal within 2-5 years of diagnosis.

"The Don't Talk-a-Thon makes it easy for everyone who wants to make a difference," said Meredith Estess, president of Project ALS. "Register online, do your part, and move the world closer to a cure."

The Don't Talk-a-Thon was started in 2009 by Avery Niedrowski to honor her grandfather, who was diagnosed with Bulbar ALS in 2005 and passed in 2007. In 2009, 9-year-old Avery took a 10-hour vow of silence and raised thousands of dollars, all of which she and her family donated to Project ALS. Since then, the Don't Talk-a-Thon has raised over $250,000, with 100% of the proceeds going directly toward ALS research.

To participate, start a fundraising page, and/or donate to the Don't Talk-a-Thon, visit DontTalkAThon.org; follow Twitter.com/ProjectALSorg, Instagram.com/ProjectALS, and Facebook.com/ProjectALS, and share your stories using the hashtag #DontTalkAThon2017.

About Project ALS

Founded in 1998, the non-profit Project ALS has advanced ALS research, accelerating the testing of potential drugs, establishing the world's first and only privately funded stem cell laboratory, and developing the first laboratory models of ALS. Project ALS identifies and funds scientific research most likely to result in the first effective treatments and a cure. By recruiting the world's best scientists and doctors to work together – rationally and aggressively – Project ALS has developed a better understanding of the ALS disease process and, in parallel, better therapeutic strategies. Project ALS is the only ALS organization who has an organized RAB that reviews proposals and progress. In 18 years, Project ALS has raised over $92 million, directing between 80-93% annually to research programs. For more information, visit ProjectALS.org.

SOURCE Project ALS

Related Links

www.projectals.org