"JASON'S WOLF PACK IS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST ALS!"

Team:  JASON’S WOLF PACK

ALS Team Page: http://web.alsa.org/goto/jasons_wolfpack

Team Captain Mobile:  (760) 909-0665

Team E-mail:  jasonswolfpack@yahoo.com

Dear Reader,

As you read this letter, you should know that Jason Becker has not had an easy fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).  The disease has left him dependent on his parents for all aspects of his daily care.  Yet despite

all that ALS has taken away from Jason—he has managed to keep his spirits up, and has continuously displayed the remarkable ability to maintain his enduring creativity and work ethic through perseverance and determination.

With the love and support of his family, friends and a world of fans, he has touched our lives in so many ways.  Jason has inspired us in a positive and beautiful way, through his music; through his story; or for people like me, touched by the sheer beauty of knowing there are still people in a world of crime and chaos with a beautiful heart, soul and outlook (attitude).  No matter what life throws his way, Jason has not only managed to survive while living with a diagnosis that permits a life expectancy of only two to five years, but rather against all odds, he has managed to thrive for 35 years—in spite of this disease.

The world is genuinely a better place, because amazing human beings like Jason are in this world with us.  Therefore, it is imperative to find the cause of this disease, as quickly as possible.  “We are literally racing against the one thing that we cannot control, nor stop—and that is time!”  I am proud to be participating in spreading awareness and raising funds to defeat ALS, in honor of a man whom has touched my heart; as well as brought this disease to my awareness.

All over the United States, various ALS Association Chapters host walks to bring awareness of this disease to the public.  These chapters work to raise funds in support of vital care service programs throughout our nation; as well as to help fund support groups, respite care, specialist consultation, medical equipment loans, research, and in assisting to offset the financial cost on the ALS patients and their families for necessary medical care; and “I need your help to make it happen.”

The ALS Association Greater San Diego Chapter has set a target goal of $500,000.00 for the 2024 fundraising event.  However, Jason’s Wolf Pack has set a team target of $1,000,000.00, as our minimum fundraising goal.  I want this year to be a record-breaking year; as well as, the year that we turn ALS Victims into ALS Survivors!  Therefore, I am asking you to send a one-time, tax-deductible donation to The ALS Association, as they work toward the vision of a world without ALS.

You can easily make your donation online at our Team Page: http://web.alsa.org/goto/jasons_wolfpack or if you prefer, you can send your donation by check, cashier’s check or money order, along with the completed donation form directly to The ALS Association Greater San Diego Chapter office (please do not mail cash).

When you consider whether to help or not; or how much you would like to donate, please take into consideration, that this fundraising effort is not just about money, it is about the people, the research, the care and the cure.  Therefore, whether your donation is $10.00 (ten dollars), $10,000,000.00 (ten million dollars) or anything in between, the truth is that there is no donation amount too small, nor too big—it all counts and it all helps!

These annual campaigns help to raise awareness throughout the nation, and throughout the world, about the existence and the effects of this disease.  In addition to assisting the ALS patients and their family members in offsetting the additional $200,000.00 in medical cost, it is committed to making it possible, for all ALS patients to have access to receiving what they need.

The 2024 Walk To Defeat ALS Fundraising Campaign is upon us!  This year’s campaign began February 1, 2024 and will continue until January 31, 2025.  Therefore, we are currently in the process of raising funds and looking forward to gathering on Sunday, October 6, 2024 for this year’s Walk To Defeat ALS.

I genuinely thank you in advance for doing your part in THE MOVEMENT TO DEFEAT ALS.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Development Manager, Community Engagement – Fly Team, Cheyenne Lauer of The ALS Association via e-mail at cheyenne.lauer@als.org or by contacting her cellular telephone number at (580) 265-6112.  “Together we can defeat ALS.”

In addition, Jason’s Wolf Pack is looking for people interested in being a member of our 2024 Team.  Come out and join me on Sunday, October 6, 2024 for the Walk To Defeat ALS.  The 3-mile distance walk is held at De Anza Cove Mission Bay, 3000 North Mission Bay Drive in San Diego, California 92109.  Check-In for the event begins at 7:30 am, and the walk begins at 9:00 am.  The Walk is not a timed competition; it is a casual and leisurely gathering, so you can walk at your own pace.

If you are interested in becoming a member of my team, please go to the website listed below and register.  Registration is free!  Once you have registered as a JWP Team Member, please call me at (760) 909-0665, or contact me through the team e-mail address listed above.

Respectfully,

Marya L. Nixon, Jason’s Wolf Pack Team Captain

ALS Team Page: http://web.alsa.org/goto/jasons_wolfpack                           

ALS Personal Page: http://web.alsa.org/goto/maryanixon

*NOTE:  Pets Are Not Permitted At The Walk!  Please Make Arrangements To Have Someone Pet Sit For You During The Event.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE DISEASE

ALS was first found in 1869 by French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot, but it was not until 1939 that Lou Gehrig brought national and international attention to the disease.  Ending the career of one of the most beloved baseball players of all time, the disease is still most closely associated with his name.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.  Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body.  The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death.

When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost.  With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.

FACTS

-ALS stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and is commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s   Disease.

-Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS, and every 90 minutes someone else     loses his or her battle to this fatal disease.

-The average life span after diagnoses is 2 to 5 years.

-Military veterans are twice as likely as the general population to die from ALS.

-Living with ALS can cost more than $200,000 per year beyond what is covered by insurance.

WHO GETS ALS

Based on U.S. population studies, a little over 5,600 people in the United States are diagnosed with ALS each year; that is 15 new cases per day.  It is estimated that as many as 30,000 Americans have the disease at any given time.

According to the ALS Care Database, 60% of the people with ALS in the Database are men and 93% of patients in the Database are Caucasian.

Most people who develop ALS are between 40 and 70, with an average age of 55 at the time of diagnoses.  However, cases of the disease do occur in persons in their twenties and thirties.

INITIAL SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE

At the onset of ALS, the symptoms may be so slight that they are frequently overlooked.  With regard to the appearance of symptoms and the progression of the illness, the course of the disease may include:

-  Muscle weakness in one or more of the hands, arms, legs or the muscles of speech, swallowing or breathing.

-  Twitching (fasciculation) and cramping of muscles; especially those in the hands and feet.

-  Impairment of the use of the arms and legs.

-  “Thick Speech” is difficulty in projecting the voice.

-  In more advanced stages, shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing and swallowing.

The initial symptoms of ALS can be quite varied in different people.  One person may experience tripping over carpet edges, another person may have trouble lifting and a third person’s early symptoms may be slurred speech.  The rate at which ALS progresses can be quite varied from one person to another; although, the average survival time with ALS is two to five years.  Despite the average 2 to 5 year survival rate, many people live five, ten or more years.

In a small number of people, ALS is known to remit or halt its progression, though there is no scientific understanding as to how and why this happens.  Symptoms can begin in the muscles of speech, swallowing or in the hands, arms, legs or feet.

Not all people with ALS experience the same symptoms or the same sequences or patterns of progression, but progressive muscle weakness and paralysis are universally experienced.

Muscle weakness is a hallmark initial sign in ALS, occurring in approximately 60% of patients.  As the weakening and paralysis continue to spread to the muscles of the trunk of the body, the disease eventually affects breathing.  When the breathing muscles become affected, ultimately the patient will need permanent ventilator support in order to survive.

MEDICATION

There is some evidence that people with ALS are living longer, partially due to clinical management interventions, due to riluzole (Rilutek).  Riluzole is used for treating patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) to prolong survival and/or to delay the need for surgery to help breathing (tracheotomy).

Riluzole is a benzothiazole.  Exactly how riluzole works is not yet known.  It is thought that it may prevent further damage to certain brain cells (motor neurons) responsible for controlling muscle function.

ALS MISSION

The ALS Association, Greater San Diego Chapter is dedicated to families affected by ALS through patient support, advocacy efforts, public awareness and education, while enabling research for a cure and improving quality of life.

*This information has been provided by the ALS Association.  You can log into their website at

https://www.als.org

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