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Created by Minneapolis, Minn.-based advertising agency Campbell Mithun and directed by Brett Froomer, who lives in Los Angeles, the television PSA was expected to debut this month across the country. The radio PSAs also were expected to begin airing this month. Lansbury decided to become involved with The Association to honor her sister, who passed away from ALS in 1987 and was married to actor Peter Ustinov. “My overture to The ALS Association to help out in any way I could was very well received and frankly I could not wait to get started,” Lansbury said. “The PSA project seemed like a wonderful opportunity to increase awareness about ALS, help the brave people battling the disease and honor my courageous sister. I hope this will make a difference.” The message of the TV PSA (Click here to view the 30 second television PSA), which uses powerful emotional and dramatic imagery, is that with the public’s support of ALS research, the progression of ALS can be delayed or stopped and that a cure can be discovered. “This is the most compelling television public service announcement that The ALS Association has produced in its 22-year history,” said Gary A. Leo, the president and CEO of The Association. “Ms. Lansbury’s presence provides total credibility and urgency.” Lansbury also recorded two poignant radio PSAs that offer living with ALS metaphors titled: “Car in the River” (Click here to listen to the 30 second radio PSA) and “Channel Surf” (Click here to listen to the 60 second radio PSA). Clinical Trial Looks at
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“Kate Linder has taken her role at The ALS Association very seriously,” said Gary A. Leo, president and CEO of The ALS Association. “It is precisely this high level of dedication and commitment that has contributed to her success on TV and at our organization. We rejoice along with Kate that she has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.”
“Being honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame would not have been possible without my involvement in many efforts to give back to the community,” Linder said. “Due to charities, especially The ALS Association, USO Tours, and Make-a-Wish of Los Angeles, and leadership positions in the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists, the honor also belongs to all of you."
The show’s producers received the “Partners in Hope” award the following day from The Association for helping to produce The Association’s most widely viewed TV public service announcement, which has reached an audience of nearly 500 million people.
"We appreciate this honor and are proud of Kate Linder for all of her efforts in fighting ALS," said “The Young and the Restless” Executive Producer Josh Griffith.
The PSA, which stars Linder and features Buzzell, encourages viewers to support the Walk to Defeat ALS™, The Association’s national signature fundraising event. (Click here to view the PSA)
A NASCAR team is starting its engine this season for The ALS Association and is helping the organization race to and cross the finish line for a cure.
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To put a local face on the disease, at every race, a patient identified by the local Association chapter will serve as an honorary pit crew member. These patients and their family members will sit in the pit area and be at the center of the action as well as participate in pre- and post-race interviews.
The team, “Racin’ for a Cure,” was established by NASCAR agent Scott Pfeiffer, who has ALS. All proceeds from donations received and merchandise sold through the "Racin’ for a Cure" Web site (www.racinforacure.com) will support The Association’s research program. Team owner and Pfeiffer friend Shawn Keep has generously provided all of the team merchandise at cost through his promotional items company, PromoGiant.
“There is an urgent need for better treatments and, ultimately, a cure for this terrible disease,” said Gary A. Leo, president and CEO of The Association. “By drawing attention and raising much-needed research funds from the large and intensely loyal NASCAR community, Scott Pfeiffer and the Racin’ for a Cure team are providing an enormous boost in this effort.”
Pfeiffer, a 42-year-old Fort Atkinson, Wis., resident diagnosed with ALS last year, knows from experience that more needs to be done in the way of educational outreach to the public about the disease.
“When you tell people you have cancer they know what that is, but when I would tell people I had ALS, a lot of them didn’t know what I was talking about,” said Pfeiffer, a lifelong NASCAR fan who represents Derek Thorn, a 21-year-old NASCAR driver who burst onto the scene in his first season. “With the enormous popularity of NASCAR, we feel we can start to change that.”
Thorn will drive for the "Racin’ for a Cure" team in the 2008 NASCAR Camping World Series and the 2008 ASA Late Model Series Challenge Division racing season, which began on March 14 and extends through September. Events are televised nationally on ESPN, ESPN2 and the SPEED channel and watched by crowds in the tens of thousands.
Even tens of thousands of protestors could not stop Lorri Coppola, diagnosed with ALS in 2005, from fulfilling her lifelong dream last month in San Francisco of carrying the Olympic Torch. In doing so, she also honored all of those who are battling Lou Gehrig ’s Disease.
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“I missed not having all my friends see me, but I was elated to have the lit torch in my hand,” Coppola said. “We only had a short distance to take it due to the change of route, but the joy and pride were there. All the runners cheered for one another as we finished the relay; the spirit of the games was alive and well.”
A mountain or even an earthquake could not prevent Coppola from race-walking the course to increase the public’s awareness of ALS. Even after being stricken with ALS, she still walks a mile three times a week.
“Her commitment to living every day as fully as she can is an inspiration to the entire community,” said Linda M. de Mello, the chapter’s executive director.
“Everyday she works toward doing whatever she can for other people and staying active even though she is facing these huge odds.”
Coppola, a resident of Greenbrae, Calif., asked her supporters along the course to hold signs reading, “Strike Out ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease.”
“Because of my ALS, carrying the Olympic torch was a dream come true. Increasing the public's awareness about ALS and support for neurological research and effective treatments are critical,” Coppola said.
Carrying the Olympic torch has always been Coppola’s goal. “I am one of the lucky ones,” she said, a sentiment reminiscent of Lou Gehrig, who famously said in his farewell speech, after being diagnosed with ALS, “I’m the luckiest man on the face of the Earth.”
In addition to teaching and coaching, Coppola produced Stanford football broadcasts, other sports programs for radio station KSFO and won gold medals for Masters race-walking at the World Games.
Dreams do come true, and entertainer Jay Leno made one of George Orlich’s become a reality. Diagnosed with ALS in 2005, Orlich, who lives in Huntsville, Ala., with his wife Fay, were invited by Leno to sit alongside the band during the taping of “The Tonight Show” in Burbank, Calif. They also spoke to the star after the show and had their pictures taken together.
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It became apparent that his dream would become a reality when the late night host left a message on Orlich’s answering machine in response to a letter Leno had received from him. In the “car-guy-to-car-guy letter,” Orlich, who is retired after working for Chrysler for more than 35 years, expressed an interest in being at the show, meeting with Leno and seeing his award-winning car collection.
“He said, ‘Hey, George, Jay Leno here, how are you doing man? We’re going to take care of you. When are you coming out here?’” recalled Orlich of the message left by Leno.
Orlich, 65, soon found himself on the telephone speaking with his idol, telling Leno that it was like talking to his buddy. The best part was that the comedian said yes to all of Orlich’s California adventure requests.
“I have these toys, too. Car guys are car guys,” Orlich said. “They all want to hear the same things. They want to hang together and talk about cars. He is such a car guy, and it has always been my dream to meet with him and talk to him about his cars and tell him about my cars because that is what we do,” Orlich said.
Orlich was more than impressed by the fact that Jay cared enough to call him back and does not regret one iota that he did not have an opportunity to share any of his favorite jokes with the comedian. “If he is the type of man who would take the time out of his busy day to call me, I did not want to take up too much of his time. He showed me that he is a very classy, honest, great person.”
George and Fay Orlich take advantage of the many services and programs offered by The Association’s Alabama Chapter and in return give of themselves at chapter events and are active in the community. Along with Fay’s mother, Lillian, they volunteered in 2006 at The Association’s Walk to Defeat ALS™ in Huntsville, and this year in May they both will be traveling to Washington, D.C., for The Association’s National ALS Advocacy Day and Public Policy Conference, May 11-13.
“George and Fay do not ‘dwell on the inevitable’ and live each day to the fullest,” said Stuart Obermann, chairman of the Alabama Chapter’s Board of Directors. “They use every opportunity to raise awareness about ALS and find a cure.”
Jeff Lester wanted everyone to know how much he cares about his wife, Lisa. Since his ALS diagnosis 15 years ago, she has provided care for him, and Jeff is grateful for the life they have built together.
Jeff submitted Lisa's name and their story to CVS/pharmacy’s “For All the Ways You Care” contest, a nationwide search for inspirational stories of caring.
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“When I began my journey with ALS, I genuinely believed the best times of my life were behind me, but little did I know that with the love of an incredible woman that the best times were ahead of me,” continued Lester, who is pursuing an MBA and master’s degree in finance at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
As a finalist in the contest, Lisa received a cash prize of $10,000, and she and her fellow finalists were congratulated on “Good Morning America.” Lisa, and daughter Kelsey, also enjoyed a luxury weekend in New York City including a celebratory luncheon at Tavern on the Green, all courtesy of CVS/pharmacy.
A published writer, Jeff was only given two to five years to survive following an ALS diagnosis at the young age of 26. Lisa, whom he was dating at the time, stayed by his side, and they were married one year later.
The Lesters, former residents of Ellisville, Mo., now reside in Lebanon, Mo., with their three daughters, Kelsey, Emily and Jordan. They have supported and received support from The ALS Association’s St. Louis Regional Chapter in Missouri for 15 years.
“The Lester family epitomizes the phrase 'never give up.' Both Jeff and Lisa have accomplished more with their lives since Jeff’s diagnosis than most people do in a lifetime, without the struggle of an incurable disease,” said Bob Wessels, president and CEO of The Association’s St. Louis Regional Chapter. “While raising three young daughters and starting an online business, the Lesters have also volunteered with state advocacy efforts, created an ALS chat room and willingly speak to community groups. Jeff and Lisa are truly inspirational to everyone they meet.”
For more information about the Patient Sevices Department, call (800) 782-4747, send an email to the department at alsinfo@alsa-national.org or visit The Association’s Web site at www.alsa.org and click on the 'Patient, Family, Caregivers' button.
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E-mail webmaster@alsa.org or call 800-782-4747.
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