What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) ?

MAC Angels Foundation is dedicated to supporting families with ALS, also known as “Lou Gehrig’s disease.”

ALS damages motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. This degenerative, debilitating, and life-limiting disease results in a loss of voluntary muscle movement, making it difficult, and eventually impossible for ALS patients to walk, talk and breathe.

​ALS is a rapidly progressive, neurodegenerative disease for which there is currently no cure. ALS is thought to be caused by the breakdown of neurons in the brain that result in the nervous system losing its ability to carry signals to the body’s muscular system.

---

Without these signals, Voluntary movement is lost. This process
​creates special living needs for ALS patients and their families.

• The CDC reports that 5,000 Americans are diagnosed every year with ALS
• Women and men are affected equally relative to their age
• 1 in 10 cases are Familial
• 9 in 10 cases are Sporadic
• ​Veterans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with ALS
• Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS and every 90 minutes someone dies from ALS

MAC Angels understands the challenges brought on by ALS, both physically and emotionally, and we are here to help.

Recommended Books to Read about ALS

• Learning to Fall by Philip Simmons
• Journeys with ALS by David Feigenbaum 
• The Stars That Shine by Jodi O'Donell-Ames
• What Did You Learn Today​ by Tina Singer Ames
• In and Out of Dreaming by Jay Curtis
• Tales From The Bed by Jenifer Estess