Barrington's ALS drive a big success

On behalf of the Les Turner ALS Foundation, I want to thank our volunteers and the generous people of Barrington who helped make the recent Tag Days donation drive a huge success.

It would not have been possible without Bob Lee and Chris Maytnier, who dedicated time and talent to organize this effort.

Each May, the Les Turner ALS Foundation recognizes ALS Awareness Month with community Tag Day drives across the metro area, from Barrington to Tinley Park to Chicago's southeast side. More than 500 volunteers take to the streets, collecting donations from passers-by and spreading much-needed awareness about ALS.

Since 1997, Tag Days drives have raised nearly $1.7 million to support the Les Turner ALS Foundation.

Every 90 minutes, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with ALS and every 90 minutes, someone in the U.S. dies of ALS. The disease causes the muscles to gradually deteriorate, robbing people of their ability to walk, speak, eat and breathe, yet usually keeping their minds intact. While some symptoms are treatable, there is currently no prevention or cure for ALS and once diagnosed, patients typically live only three to five years.

For nearly 40 years, the Les Turner ALS Foundation has been Chicagoland's leader in research, patient care and education about ALS. The Foundation supports the Les Turner ALS Foundation Research and Patient Center at Northwestern Medicine, bringing together three research laboratories and a multidisciplinary patient clinic under one umbrella.

In addition, the Foundation's patient service programs include in-home consultations, support groups, equipment loans and educational programs. For information, visit lesturnerals.org.

Andrea Pauls Backman

Executive Director

Les Turner ALS Foundation, Skokie