The ALS Association Welcomes ALS of Nevada as the Nevada Chapter to Help People Living with ALS Throughout the State of Nevada

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Mar 17, 2015, 01:40 ET

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The ALS Association National Board of Trustees is proud to have ALS of Nevada join its 39 affiliates across the country, to be known as The ALS Association's Nevada Chapter, which will continue to work in communities throughout Nevada to execute the important mission of the organization: to lead the fight to treat and cure ALS through global research and nationwide advocacy while also empowering people with Lou Gehrig's Disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support.

ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. The disease robs people of the ability to walk, to talk and even blink an eye. It traps them inside a body they no longer can control and ultimately prevents them from breathing as it takes their life. There is no known cause of the disease, although military veterans are approximately twice as likely to develop ALS as the general population.

"On behalf of The ALS Association, we are pleased to welcome the Nevada Chapter to our nationwide network of affiliates. This organization has demonstrated its commitment in support of people with this devastating disease in Nevada," said Barbara Newhouse, President and CEO of The ALS Association. "I am confident that the leadership of the Nevada Chapter will provide exceptional service to people with ALS, and we will be a stronger national organization because of them."

Nationwide, The ALS Association fights this disease on every front, through research, care services and public policy. Locally, the Nevada Chapter of The ALS Association will continue to provide exceptional services to the people and families battling this disease.

"We are delighted to represent The ALS Association in Nevada and continue to provide and enhance the services we provide to our neighbors across the entire state of Nevada," said William Milone, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nevada Chapter. "Being part of the national effort in the fight against ALS is a great honor and will enable our chapter to expand the scope of support here in the state of Nevada."

"Our first priority is and has always been to provide support to all the people across Nevada with ALS and their families," said April Mastroluca, Executive Director of the Nevada Chapter. "Working in collaboration with The ALS Association and their chapters across the country, we will be able to ensure that we can continue to offer the services and support necessary for our ALS families in Nevada as we have done since 2004.

The Nevada Chapter depends on the generosity of donors to help fund the mission of the organization and would like to invite Northern Nevada residents to participate in its Walk to Defeat ALS®, which will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at Reno Aces Ballpark. Southern Nevada residents are invited to participate in the Annual Steve Rigazio Golf Tournament at South Shores at Lake Las Vegas on May 11, 2015. Details for both events are available on the organization's new website: www.ALSANV.org.

About The ALS Association
The ALS Association is the only national non-profit organization fighting Lou Gehrig's Disease on every front. By leading the way in global research, providing assistance for people with ALS through a nationwide network of chapters, coordinating multidisciplinary care through certified clinical care centers, and fostering government partnerships, The Association builds hope and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure. For more information about The ALS Association, visit our website at www.alsa.org.

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SOURCE The ALS Association