Young Faces of ALS Campaign Announces Second Annual “National Corntoss Challenge”

Via Scoop.it – ALS Lou Gehrig’s Disease
The Young Faces of ALS Campaign(YFALS) announced its second annual “National Corntoss Challenge” fundraising event occurring in multiple cities this May and June in support of research toward an effective treatment for ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. This is a charity tournament where thousands of participants in cities from coast to coast will join in a day of fundraising by playing the popular tailgate game, Corntoss (a.k.a. Cornhole, bean bag toss, baggo or bags).This year’s National Corntoss Challenge will be held in the following cities: Atlanta on May 12; Boston and Rapid City on May 19; Boise, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington DC on June 23. Each city’s event will be run by local volunteer “champions” who are committed to raising awareness of ALS and funding research towards a cure.

Via www.sacbee.com

Hood Meadows Hosts New Ski to Defeat ALS Event

Via Scoop.it – ALS Lou Gehrig’s Disease

The goal is $100,000, and a former CMH heli guide is one of the driving forces behind the fundraiser to be held at Mt. Hood Meadows in Oregon. The fundraiser on April 14, 2012 aims raise money for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Seventy-four-year-old Fred Noble, known to friends and the Portland ski community as The Fredinator, was diagnosed with ALS in December 2010. The life-long skier who worked with Canadian Mountain Holidays for 38 years suddenly needed to adapt everything in his life to accommodate living with ALS, and the local chapter of The ALS Association helped out. In repayment, Noble is leading the fundraising charge, having set a personal goal of $10,000. Noble credits the local chapter of The ALS Association with helping him with loans of adaptive equipment, advice on remodeling his house to accommodate his new needs, and dealing with medical insurance. Even with ALS, he has not given up skiing, but has converted to skiing with adaptive gear.

Via www.onthesnow.com

‘Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet’ [Film Trailer]

Via Scoop.it – ALS Lou Gehrig’s Disease

‘JASON BECKER: NOT DEAD YET’ is a new feature-length documentary that chronicles the heroic and incredible true story of guitar legend, Jason Becker. The film chronicles Jason’s life from his youth, to his days as a lightning fast guitar player and rock star, and to his present-day struggles with an incurable disease.  Jason’s amazing story is told through interviews, never-before-seen archive footage of his performances; as well as unreleased family photos and footage from the Becker archives. The soundtrack is comprised of Jason’s released and unreleased material including demos from his childhood and new material he has been working on. The film was shot using a combination of full 1080p HD cameras and 16mm film.

FIFA to support Borgonovo tournament

Via Scoop.it – ALS Lou Gehrig’s Disease

FIFA has announced that it will sponsor the youth tournament of Stefano Borgonovo, the former European Cup winner and Italy international who now suffers from ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). In a joint venture with the Italian Football Association (FIGC), world football’s governing body will lend a helping hand to the competition, which will take place on 2 and 3 June. FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, who has previously spoken of his sympathy for Borgonovo and support for his Stefano Borgonovo Foundation, revealed the news in a letter to his wife Chantal.“I am pleased to inform you that I have agreed with the FIGC that we will take over the joint sponsorship of this event,” wrote Blatter. “My office will give you every possible assistance to make this tournament a great success and an unforgettable event for all the children involved.” As well as sending his best wishes to the whole Borgonovo family and the Foundation, Blatter pledged to “do my best” to attend the event.

Via www.fifa.com

Weston company donates $500K to Cellucci ALS fund

Via Scoop.it – ALS Lou Gehrig’s Disease

At a conference yesterday attended by former and current state officials, Weston-based research company Biogen Idec announced it is donating $500,000 to a fund set up by former Gov. Paul Cellucci to aid innovative research for Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease. “I can’t tell you how thankful I am to (former Gov. William Weld) and everyone who has stepped up to the plate,” Cellucci told a crowd of reporters and politicians at the Seaport Boston Hotel, including Weld. “They’re getting very close (to a cure), not only for ALS, but other degenerative diseases.” Cellucci, who served as governor from 1997 to 2001 and grew up in Hudson, was diagnosed with ALS about three years ago. Cellucci said he’d like to raise $10 million dollars toward the effort as quickly as possible. Including Biogen’s donation, the fund — called the UMass/ALS Champion Fund — has raised $1.3 million in less than a year.

Via www.wickedlocal.com

Old political allies Weld, Cellucci team up to fight ALS

Via Scoop.it – ALS Lou Gehrig’s Disease
William Weld and Paul Cellucci had known each other only a short time when they joined forces to run on a ticket for governor, a partnership that came to define an era in Massachusetts politics. More than two decades later, the old friends and political allies are teaming up again in a final collaboration, a poignant, deeply personal stand against ALS, the ravaging disease Cellucci now confronts. For Cellucci, who made his diagnosis public early last year, the ambitious fund-raising effort has lent him purpose and comfort, an ease to his mind as his body fails. Working the phones with Weld like they did in their political heyday, he said, has felt like old times.
Via articles.boston.com

Become a Virtual 610 Stomper and help fight Lou Gehrig’s Disease

Via Scoop.it – ALS Lou Gehrig’s Disease
The 610 Stompers — ordinary men with extraordinary moves — have become a parade favorite here in New Orleans and in the Macy’s Day Parade in New York.And now they are showing you how to become a Virtual 610 Stomper. Chief dancing officer Brett “Slab” Patron demonstrates some of the group’s moves for people who want to be a part of the Virtual 610 Stomper fundraiser to benefit ALS and Team Gleason. “We would love to raise $100,000, but this is our first year,” said Patron said. “And we are just trying to get as many people involved as possible.” Steve Gleason is the former Saints special team standout who suffers from ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, the terminal disease that damages nerves controlling voluntary muscle movement. He organized Team Gleason to raise public awareness about ALS.
Via www.wwltv.com

Salon rallies community to help employee diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease

Via Scoop.it – ALS Lou Gehrig’s Disease
HANFORD — Local hair stylist Joe Babin used to go hunting for animals like deer and other big game as a pastime with friends, but now he’s hunting for something to save his life — a cure for Lou Gehrig’s disease. “I know the odds, I don’t need to be reminded of that,” Babin said. “But I am not letting that cloud my mind. I am coming at this, guns blazing. I’m going to fight this thing during every waking moment of my life.” Babin won’t be alone in his fight. Ever since he was officially diagnosed in December, family and friends have shown him unbelievable amounts of support. Now, his co-workers at Panache Hair Salon and various other businesses have partnered to hold a special dinner and dance fundraiser at the Hanford Fraternal Hall on Saturday to help pay for any living or medical expenses while Babin pursues a treatment for the disease.
Via www.hanfordsentinel.com

Beastie Boys Auction to fight ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease

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The first auction of signed Beastie Boy memorabilia is live- Bidding is open from March 1st to March 8th 2012.
Via us1.campaign-archive1.com

Letting her art do the talking

Via Scoop.it – ALS Lou Gehrig’s Disease
Slowly moving a mouse to type on her computer, Dr. Faye Magneson writes that she especially enjoyed painting mountain scenes before she could no longer hold a pastel in her hand. For the last eight years, Faye has made her own upward journey — rising above the valleys of disappointments and despair — as she continues her climb through the cruel stages of ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease. The South Bend internal medicine physician can no longer talk and must use a wheelchair. Yet she still has an uncanny way of rallying the troops — in recent years to raise money for ALS research. She and four other women — playfully and proudly calling themselves The Art Five — have just completed a book that displays 35 of Faye’s pastel paintings. Titled “An Art Journey,” it also includes her life story and short essays from her artist friends. All the proceeds from the book, priced at $40, will go toward ALS research. Faye is hosting a party for many of her friends today to celebrate the book’s release.
Via www.southbendtribune.com