''Young and the Restless'' Actress Kate Linder Stars In New Public Service Announcement for The ALS Association.

CALABASAS HILLS, Calif. -- For more than two decades, internationally recognized actress Kate Linder has appeared on the number one rated soap opera, CBS' "The Young and the Restless."

Linder's world of lights and cameras came in for a rude awakening last December when her brother-in-law Scott was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Linder, also a flight attendant for United Airlines, quickly decided to audition for a new role, that of celebrity spokesperson for The ALS Association (ALSA), the preeminent leader in the fight against the progressive neurodegenerative disease. ALSA welcomed her onboard with open arms and she has already made a major contribution to the organization, including testifying before the Senate Committee on Appropriations last May during the 2005 National ALS Advocacy Day and Public Policy Conference in Washington, D.C.

Linder's latest role on behalf of ALSA is a new public service announcement (PSA) that she stars in with Scott. The PSA has begun airing on cable networks and will soon hit the airwaves on CBS. Linder and Scott are promoting ALSA's national signature fundraising event, The Walk to D'Feet ALS(R), held in nearly 150 cities in the fall and spring. Linder already has scheduled appearances at Walks in Orange County, Calif., and Tacoma, Wash., this fall.

"Like many of you, my family has been personally touched by ALS," wrote Linder to Walk volunteers. "My brother-in-law, Scott, was recently diagnosed with the disease. From the moment I heard the news, I knew I had to get involved to do everything I could to build awareness about ALS. That is why I've committed myself to ALSA and to a new public awareness program known as Kate's Club(SM).

A new exciting feature for the Walk beginning in September will be the Kate's Club "Walk Teams." Team members can receive an autographed photo and thank you letter from Linder as well as attend a party hosted by the ALSA chapter and Linder.

Linder, who plays Esther Valentine, a confidante and housekeeper on "The Young and the Restless," also participated at the Indianapolis 500 for ALSA at a festival parade and in the kickoff for the Orange County Walk.

Like the racecars in the 500, the energetic Linder is revving up her engine for an increasing role as a spokesperson for ALSA.

The Walk has raised nearly $30 million since it was initiated in 2000. This year, ALSA expects 100,000 people to participate and raise approximately $10 million.

ALS afflicts 30,000 Americans at any given time. The average life expectancy of an ALS patient is two to five years from the time of diagnosis.

As the preeminent organization in the fight against ALS, ALSA conducts the world's largest privately-funded research program and provides a network of services through its chapters in the United States.

The ALS Association is the nation's only non-profit voluntary health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS.

EDITORS:

To download a photo of Kate Linder, click on the following ALSA web site link http://www.alsa.org/news/article.cfm?id=721