International Best-Selling Author and Philosopher Noah benShea Named National Laureate of The ALS Association
Feb. 28, 2005
The ALS Association has named international best-selling author and philosopher Noah benShea as ALSA National Laureate, bringing a new dimension of spirituality and compassion to serving the ALS community.
Noah benShea
ALS Association
National Laureate
Having lost his father to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Noah benShea will offer a perspective as National Laureate that can only emanate from someone who has been touched by Lou Gehrig’s disease. Mr. benShea’s thoughts will appear in regular columns on The ALS Association's national website at www.alsa.org and publications.
“There came a point where my father lost his ability to speak,” said Mr. benShea. “ALS screamed via my father’s silence. Now I hope to lend my voice to what my father could not say.”
“I pray that my words will move more of us to care about a finding a cure and helping those for who hope is a misnomer,” said Mr. benShea, who is scheduled to give the keynote address at Teh ALS Association's Leadership Development and ALS Clinical Care conference on March 11 in St. Louis, Mo.
The author of 18 books including the Jacob the Baker™ series loved around the world, Noah benShea is a poet, scholar and highly regarded executive advisor whose insightful perspective on life is presented on his web site, www.noahbenshea.com.
“The Association’s comprehensive strategy that focuses resources in research, patient care, advocacy and public education now has another important component – spiritual support,” Leo said.
Mr. benShea’s experience of his father’s courageous struggle with ALS spurred him to work with The Association. His wisdom and caring will be inspirational to those who are traveling on the journey of ALS.
“For all those who endure ALS, or their loved ones who cry into the night wondering if anyone in the cosmos is listening or concerned, I will be their voice, or try to be, or hope to be,” benShea said of his new role with The Association.
Noah benShea's thoughts also will soon appear on approximately 25 million Starbucks coffee cups in North America beginning in April.
Described by CNN’s Larry King as “the compass because he has – with wisdom, compassion and humor – helped so many of us to find our way,” Noah benShea's National Laureate designation will enable him to integrate his personal ALS experience with his wise and gentle viewpoint on life.
Born in Toronto, Mr. benShea lives in Santa Barbara, CA. He has been the subject of numerous radio, television and newspaper interviews.
