``Young and the Restless'' Actress Kate Linder Will Be Presented with The ALS Association's All-Star Award.

The ALS Association:

WHAT:         Actress Kate Linder, who has portrayed Esther Valentine
              on CBS' top-rated soap opera "The Young and the
              Restless" for 24 years, will receive The ALS
              Association's (ALSA) All-Star Award at ALSA's
              Celebration of Excellence Reception and Awards
              Presentation from the winner of last year's award,
              former Major League Baseball pitcher Tommy John. The
              event will be held during ALSA's 2006 National ALS
              Advocacy Day and Public Policy Conference in Washington,
              D.C., May 15-17. "The Young and the Restless" is seen by
              100 million worldwide viewers everyday.

WHY:          The All-Star Award recognizes volunteers whose personal
              initiative and extraordinary contributions on behalf of
              ALS have expanded the advocacy and awareness efforts to
              help increase public awareness of the disease. Linder
              offered to help ALSA after her brother-in-law was
              diagnosed with ALS. Her contributions have included
              starring in an ALSA public service announcement (PSA)
              about ALSA's national signature fundraising event, the
              Walk to D'Feet ALS(R). The PSA has been seen by more
              than 300 million people. She also has made personal
              appearances at the Walk, held in 150 U.S. cities. At
              ALSA's National Advocacy Day and Public Policy
              Conference last year, Linder testified before the Senate
              Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, and Education
              about the state of the disease, research and treatment.
              ALSA is the nation's only not-for-profit voluntary
              health organization dedicated solely to the fight
              against ALS.

WHEN:         5:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 16

WHERE:        National Geographic Society Hall
              1145 17th Street Northwest
              Washington, D.C., 20036

WHO:          Actress Kate Linder
              Former Major League Baseball pitcher Tommy John
              ALSA President and CEO Gary Leo