Latest news with #LouGehrig'sDisease
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Roanoke man living with ALS is on a mission to help others
ROANOKE, VA (WFXR) — A Roanoke man living with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is working to spread awareness and understanding about the disease, and make it livable for everyone until a cure can be found. 'I don't think you can ever be ready for a medical change that totally alters your trajectory in life,' said Mark Kary, who is living with ALS. ALS is a neurotmesuclar disease where the brain stops communicating with the muscles. For some, a person might lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, breathe, and it can sometimes be fatal. 'If I want to go into my emails, I can scroll down with my nose,' shared Kary. Mark Kary is 75 years old and is living with ALS. He said that right around the time of his retirement, he started to notice some weakness in his left arm. 'My brother, who was a doctor, found it, and that was about 12 years ago, which is a real anomaly time-wise. And I wasn't diagnosed until about five years ago,' said Kary. Mark's version of ALS is extremely rare. 'Only affected thus far my arms, hands, and shoulders, which have atrophied or, as I like to say, my arms are for decoration only,' shared Kary. Even with the diagnosis, the disease hasn't taken away his appetite for life. Every day the sun comes up is a beautiful day. One of the things I say is, how I get things done is with the hands of others.' Mark Kary His arms, hands, and shoulders might not work as well as they used to, but that doesn't stop him; he said he just had to adapt. 'Think about personal hygiene, anything you can do with your hands. I can't do,' shared Kary. 'I can still brush my teeth with an electric toothbrush, but that does take, you know, a four-step process.' I think you have to have a mission in life, no matter how brief.' Mark Kary 'For most people who have ALS, they don't have the timeframe that I have been blessed with,' shared Kary. And with the time Mark does have, he has created the ALS Red Ball Express. It's a visual and digital aid that you may have spotted on the back of cars. 'I want people to walk over and point their phone at it and get a connection to information,' said Kary. Whether it's connecting people with information or raising funds for the ALS Association, Mark is on a mission to ensure there is a visual representation of ALS on the roads in Roanoke every day of the year. Mark's story doesn't end, He's also been busy advocting for disabled people with adaptive access in Roanoke. A few years ago, he spoke with the City Manager, and helped put in place the Star City's first 'open access barrier-free parking' in downtown. Those are parking spaces specially set aside for disabled drivers, so they can park in timed spaces, for up to 10 hours. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What to know about ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — In today's health headlines, we're recognizing ALS Awareness Month, shedding light on the disease that affects neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Dr. Huned Patwa, a professor of neurology at Yale School of Medicine, explains ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, and how it impacts the body over time. Watch the video above to learn more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Winnipeg Free Press
14-05-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Mission possible
St. James Much like the return of wide-leg jeans and the Jedi, the Ice Bucket Challenge is back with a vengeance. In 2014, this viral social media campaign garnered worldwide attention for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a neurological disease also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. Participants filmed themselves having a bucket of ice water dumped on their heads, then nominated friends and family to do the same and/or donate to ALS research. Photo by Wanda Prychitko Brooklands Admin Staff accepted the challenge from another school in the St. James-Assiniboia School Division, encouraging everyone to make positive youth mental health a priority. In Canada alone, more than $17 million was raised in five months, and more than $220 million US was raised globally. ALS continues to be a fatal condition that takes people in their prime. Fast forward to 2025, and the Ice Bucket Challenge is front-and-centre of a new movement launched by Mental Illness Needs Discussion, a student club at the University of South Carolina. Dubbed the #SpeakYourMind Ice Bucket Challenge, the campaign encourages us to engage in conversation, reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, foster mutual support and advocate for suicide prevention. Mondays A weekly look at news and events that matter in your communities. In 2022, Health Canada reported that one in four Canadian youth had been diagnosed as struggling with one or a combination of mental, emotional, developmental or behavioural issues. Suicide was the second leading cause of death among those aged 15 to 34. These numbers are staggering, tragic and avoidable. The Ice Bucket Challenge is but a medium, with the capacity to draw attention to a host of concerns. I have no doubt that other issues worthy of our attention will use the Ice Bucket Challenge to shine a light on their cause in the future. Just as door-to-door canvassing was initiated by a single group, we know that many, many organizations have utilized the model to raise awareness and funds. If it ain't broke – don't fix it. In the midst of so much Canada-U.S. divisiveness, I think we can agree that the mental health of youth everywhere is a critical issue, and not one to be politicized. Whether you splash yourself, nominate a friend, donate your time or assets, the point is to be open to others in need and not be afraid of the conversation. You can be involved as little or as much as you like – but please be involved. Wanda PrychitkoSt. James-Assiniboia community correspondent Wanda Prychitko is a community correspondent for St. James-Assiniboia. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
11th annual Pete Goede ALS Benefit Concert this weekend
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — The 11th annual Pete Goede ALS Benefit Concert is this weekend! The annual concert will be taking place at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City inside of the Anthem. The Pete Goede ALS Benefit Concert takes place on Sunday from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. and will feature a variety of bands. This year's lineup includes Steven Bankey and the Flatland Band, Missouri Blend, Rock Bottlem, and The Establishment. There will also be a live auction. Spencer no-kill animal shelter raising money for renovations The event is held in memory of Pete Goede, who was the lead singer of 'The Establishment.' The band was inducted into the Iowa Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 2008. They performed at the then-named 'Rockin' For ALS Benefit Concert' in 2015. The name was changed after Goede passed away just a couple months later. ALS is a 'progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord,' according to the ALS Association. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, causes neurons that control muscles to degenerate until they eventually die, meaning those with the disease will lose voluntary muscle action. There is currently no cure for the disease. When Pete Goede was diagnosed, he wanted to help others in the same situation. 'This was his idea to do a concert in Sioux City for ALS. It was Pete's last concert…he passed that April,' said Eric Boetger, one of the organizers of the event and Goede's bandmate. The event is free to attend, though you must be 21 years of age or older to enter the Anthem. All proceeds from the concert go to families who are affected by ALS. KCAU 9 News is a proud sponsor of the Rockin' For A Cure: Pete GOede ALS Benefit Concert. This year, KCAU 9 donated $5,000 to the cause. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WCW star and NFL Hall of Famer Steve ‘Mongo' McMichael has died
This afternoon (April 23), Walter Payton's son Jarrett shared that NFL Hall of Famer and former WCW star Steve 'Mongo' McMichael was entering hospice care. WGN in Chicago later confirmed that McMichael — who at 67 years old has been living with ALS, an incurable nerve disease also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, since 2021 — had been taken off a ventilator in the ICU prior to entering the hospice facility. Advertisement A short time later, Jarrett shared that McMichael was gone. McMichael won a Super Bowl with the Chicago Bears, playing defensive line on a team known for it's defense. He achieved his dream of receiving his gold jacket as a member of the NFL Hall of Fame last year. His joined WCW in the 1990s for a run that included stints in the ring and on commentary. Mongo was a member of the Four Horseman with his friend Ric Flair, and won the promotion's United States champion. The Nature Boy is leading the way as remembrances and tributes to McMichael are being shared on social media. The World Just Lost The Incredible Steve 'Mongo' McMichael! He Was My Best Friend Through It All! An Amazing Athlete And Human Being! I Have The Fondest Memories Working With Him, And This Is An Extremely Heartbreaking Loss For Me! I Love You Mongo! You Fought One Hell Of A Battle! Rest In Peace My Friend! On behalf of the entire Cageside Seats community, we're sending love to Steve McMichael's family and friends. Thank you for sharing him as he entertained and inspired us over the years. May he rest in peace. Advertisement More from
