Busy week for ALS research and awareness
Research symposium, public education event and ALS walk planned
Multiple events planned for this week will help educate the public about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a devastating disease that still has no cure.
On Sept. 14 The Neuro will host ALS Education Day in collaboration with ALS Quebec, beginning at 9 a.m. with opening remarks in the Jeanne Timmins Amphitheatre by Dr. Angela Genge, Director of The Neuro’s ALS Clinic and the Clinical Research Unit. This will be followed by a full day of presentations on ALS diagnosis, treatment, and care for ALS patients, as well as the genetics behind the disease. A representative from The ALS Society of Quebec will also give a presentation on what services they offer. The day will end with a public lecture and panel discussion. Click here to learn more about ALS Education Day.
Some of the world’s leading ALS researchers will describe their work on Sept. 15 and 16 at the 13th annual André-Delambre Symposium, organized by Dr. Jean-Pierre Julien and Dr. Jasna Kriz from Université Laval and Angela Genge and Debbie Rashkovsky from the MNI. This year’s symposium will take place at Jeanne Timmins Amphitheatre and will include presentations by international experts in ALS research and clinical care. Click here to learn more about the symposium.
Presenters at the symposium will greet people taking part in the Walk for ALS organized by ALS Quebec taking place Sept. 16 at Parc Maisonneuve . Over 800 people are expected, including members of the Montreal Alouettes will also be present for the 10th anniversary of Team Proudfoot’s participation in the walk. The goal of the walk this year is to raise funds to support families touched by ALS and support the ALS Canada Research Program. Click here to learn more about the ALS Walk in Montreal.
About ALS
Commonly called Lou Gehrig’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) involves the death of motor nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. These are the cells that control our voluntary movements. As the disease progresses, the muscles weaken to the point of total paralysis. Most people survive less than five years following diagnosis. A small percentage of patients live for ten years or even longer. Fewer than one in ten ALS patients has a family history of the disease. About 3,000 Canadian adults have ALS. At present, there is no cure.
About the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro)
The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital – The Neuro – is a world-leading destination for brain research and advanced patient care. Since its founding in 1934 by renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Wilder Penfield, The Neuro has grown to be the largest specialized neuroscience research and clinical centre in Canada, and one of the largest in the world. The seamless integration of research, patient care, and training of the world’s top minds make The Neuro uniquely positioned to have a significant impact on the understanding and treatment of nervous system disorders. In 2016, The Neuro became the first institute in the world to fully embrace the Open Science philosophy, creating the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute. The Montreal Neurological Institute is a McGill University research and teaching institute. The Montreal Neurological Hospital is part of the Neuroscience Mission of the McGill University Health Centre. For more information, please visit www.theneuro.ca
About the ALS Society of Quebec
The ALS Society of Quebec is a non-profit organization that supports families touched by ALS at every stage of the disease with information, counselling, specialized equipment, support groups and financial aid. Promoting, subsidizing, and advancing research on the causes, treatment, and cure of ALS are also integral parts of its mission. For more information als-quebec.ca.
