VA is helping to combat ALS

Many readers may recall that the Veterans Administration mistakenly sent a letter to thousands of veterans earlier this year informing them that they had been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

A big mistake? Yes, one for which the VA has apologized. But what readers probably don't know is the fact that veterans are approximately twice as likely to die from Lou Gehrig's Disease as the general public. What readers probably don't know is that the VA is doing something about it.

The fact is the VA is providing significant benefits to our heroes who are fighting for their lives against ALS, a disease for which there is no effective treatment and no cure and is fatal in just two to five years following diagnosis. Thanks to the VA, these veterans and their families have access to disability compensation, health care and other vital benefits they have earned and deserve. Survivors of veterans we have lost in the war against ALS also qualify for benefits.

Let's make sure all veterans living with ALS know about these benefits - what the VA is doing right, not just what they are doing wrong. And let's urge Congress to step up to the plate, too, and provide the research and funding necessary not only to learn why our veterans are dying from ALS, but also to discover a treatment that can save their lives. Our veterans fought for us. It's time we fought for them. To learn how you can help, visit The ALS Association's Web site at www.alsa.org.

Robert Schmehl

Elburn