``Walk to D'Feet ALS'' Comes to Orange County; The ALS Association Orange County Chapter Holds 3rd Annual 5K Walk to Raise ALS Awareness.

Health/Assignment Editors

ORANGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 2002

More than 1,200 men, women and children, along with numerous companies and community leaders will take a step towards defeating Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease at the 3rd Annual Walk to D'Feet ALS held Saturday, Oct. 19 at William R. Mason Regional Park in Irvine, Calif.

The walk, presented by Western National Group, will raise funds to further ALS research and help patients cope with this deadly disease that strikes an American every 90 minutes.

Since 2000, this 5-kilometer pledge walk has raised nearly $350,000 for the Orange County Chapter of the ALS Association, which provides patients with in-home nurse case management services and equipment, bereavement counseling, mental and emotional support via a 24-hour phone hotline and support groups. Last year's walk raised nearly $170,000 and the goal for this year is to raise $200,000 in donations. This year's walk grand marshall will be U.S. Representative Christopher Cox, who has advocated ALS-specific legislation in Congress since 1999.

"I didn't know where to turn, as no one seemed to know much about ALS," said Patti Parillo, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2000. "Without the ALSA Orange County Chapter and all the services they've provided, I would have been lost...this Walk to D'Feet will help fund research for a cure and provide continuing support for those of us with ALS," said Parillo.

ALS is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that attacks nerve cells and pathways in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle action. The disease slowly paralyzes the muscles, affecting a patient's speech, swallowing, breathing and mobility -- yet, in most cases, leaves the mind unaffected. On average, ALS patients die within two to five years from the time of diagnosis.

Registration opens at 8 a.m. the day of the walk and opening ceremonies will begin at 9 a.m. Orange County Chapter ALS patients, friends and family members have registered along with local business and community leaders. Many of this year's corporate sponsors have teams participating in the walk. Past participants formed teams with names like "Orange Crushers" and "If Only."

"The competition between teams is fierce but fun," said Louise Romano, executive director of the Orange County ALS Association Chapter. "Helping ALS patients with their everyday needs really encourages the teams to sign up participants and raise more money."

For nearly 15 years, the ALS Association's Orange County Chapter has been raising awareness and much-needed funds for the fight against ALS. This year alone, thousands of families and friends across the country will be participating in the Walk to D'Feet ALS.

"The Chapter provides wheelchairs, breathing machines, special beds as well as a nurse to provide case management," Romano said. "And since many ALS patients lose the ability to speak, we also provide special communicative devices that can speak for them." All services provided by the Chapter are free to patients in Orange County and surrounding areas.

The Walk to D'Feet ALS is made possible through the support of the financial and in-kind sponsors including: A-Frame Surf, Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, Aubrey & Associates Inc., Aurora International, Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Booz Allen Hamilton, Brooks America, Connell Chevrolet, Dave & Buster's, Gold PR, Mark Victor Hanson, author of "Chicken Soup for the Soul," Hyundai Motor America, Intercommunications Inc., Interim Healthcare, Kirkhill-TA Mfg., Label Factory Ltd., Maurice LaCroix, Medix Ambulance, Pepperidge Farms, Target (Orange store) and Western National Group.

The 5K is open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. For additional information regarding the Walk to D'Feet ALS or about ALS, contact Romano at 714/938-1080. Those interested in making a donation or forming a walking team can also learn more by visiting www.alsaoc.org.

About the ALS Association (ALSA) Orange County Chapter

The ALS Association (ALSA), of which the Orange County Chapter is a member, is the only non-profit national voluntary health organization dedicated solely to the fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) through research, patient and community services. The association is dedicated to public education, advocacy and in providing help as well as hope to those facing the disease.