The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Association will be holding its 3rd Annual Walk to D'Feet ALS on Sunday, Sept.14 at 9:45 a.m. at Eisenhower Park. ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

In 2002, members of over 60 communities across the nation participated in Walks to D'Feet ALS, raising more than $6 million. This year, the first walk took place in Manhattan on May 31 and the second walk took place in Jersey City on June 22. On Sept. 14, over 2,000 participants are expected to attend the event, which will be the third and final walk of this year.

In the past two years, the team of Ken's Kids/Joanne's Friends - established to benefit Hicksville residents - has raised over $20,000 for Lou Gehrig's disease research. Marge McCarthy, team captain of Ken's Kids/Joanne's Friends said most of the money that is raised funds ALS research.

"We hope there will be a cure for ALS in the future," she said.

According to the sponsoring Walk to D'Feet ALS Greater New York Chapter's (GNYC) website, the ALS Association (ALSA) is the only national not-for-profit voluntary health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS. It carries out its mission at the national level and through its nationwide network of chapters and support groups. ALSA and its chapters commit more funds annually to ALS research and patient care than any other independent, voluntary health organization. Proceeds from the Walk will support aggressive research initiatives to find a cure for ALS and local patient service programs.

In a prepared statement, Dorine Gordon, president of ALSA/GNYC, said, "We want to do two things - raise money and increase awareness of ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. We think the walk will accomplish both tasks."

As one of ALSA's leading chapters, the Greater New York Chapter plays a major role in promoting the mission of ALSA by funding aggressive, cutting -dge research to find a cure that utilizes the newest techniques and fosters collaborative initiatives among government agencies, the private sector and scientists.

ALS is a fatal neuromuscular disease characterized by degeneration of a select group of nerve cells and pathways to the brain and spinal cord which leads to progressive paralysis of the muscles. To date, there is no cure and the exact cause is unknown. Allergic responses, infectious and/or viral agents have been proposed as possible causes of this disorder, but none has been proven. Approximately five to 10 percent of all ALS cases are hereditary.

The most common form of motor neuron disease, ALS strikes an estimated two to seven out of every 100,000 persons in the United States. Approximately 5,600 people in the US are diagnosed with ALS each year, which equates to 15 diagnosed each day. Research thus far has failed to establish any definite cause, although slow-acting viruses have been suspected and, in a small percentage of cases, a genetic link might be involved. No specific treatment yet exists, and patients can be aided only by supportive therapy.

Anyone wishing to make a donation may do so by linking on to www.kinera.org and making a donation in the name of Ken's Kids/Joanne's Friends Team or by mailing their donation directly to the ALS Association, Suite 1304, 116 John Street, New York, NY 10038. All checks should be made payable to: ALS GNY Chapter.