Celebrities Join ALS Patients in Lincoln Memorial Candlelight Vigil for The ALS Association's National Advocacy Day and Public Policy Conference.

The ALS Association:

WHAT: People from 48 states with the horrific disease ALS (amyotrophic
      lateral sclerosis) and their caregivers, including friends and
      family members in Washington, D.C. to participate in The ALS
      Association's (ALSA) three-day National ALS Advocacy Day and
      Public Policy Conference, May 15-17, will join ALSA officials
      and celebrity spokespersons in front of the Lincoln Memorial
      for a candlelight vigil. During their stay in the nation's
      capital, many in attendance also will meet with elected
      officials to fight for legislation that affects people living
      with the progressive, neurodegenerative disease, and attend
      public policy workshops. There is no known cure for ALS,
      commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, which annually
      affects 30,000 people in the United States and claims the lives
      of patients, on average, two to five years from the time of
      diagnosis.

WHY: The candlelight vigil provides an opportunity for each person to
     raise a candle in memory of loved ones who passed away from ALS
     and to honor the presence of those people who continue to live
     with the disease. The candlelight vigil also is a time to
     reflect on why the ALS community gathers in Washington D.C., to
     renew strength and focus energy. There will also be inspirational
     speeches that will encourage people with ALS not to give up.

WHEN: 8:30 p.m., Monday, May 15

WHERE: The Lincoln Memorial (on the steps in front of reflecting pool)
       Washington, D.C.

WHO:   "Young and the Restless" actress Kate Linder
       Former Major League Baseball player Tommy John and Kent Hrbek
       Tommy John's son, Taylor John, who will be singing
       Miss National Sweetheart 2006 Amanda Watson (lives in
        North Carolina)
       Helene Bowler, who lost her son to ALS (lives in New York)