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Walks Help Stop the Disease that Stopped Lou Gehrig

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 12, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Association Keith Worthington Chapter is gearing up for another Walk to D'Feet ALS(r) season. "Walks are being held in 19 communities throughout Kansas, Nebraska and Western Missouri this year. It demonstrates the growing commitment to put an end to this disease. Six of those are in and around Kansas City," says Executive Director Beckie Cooper.

 The Einstein Brothers Walk to D'Feet ALS(r) in Kansas City kicks off
 on September 18, 2005 at Theis Park with registration at 9:00 a.m.
 and the Walk at 10:00 a.m.

 Also on September 18, 2005 at Barbee Memorial Presbyterian Church in
 Excelsior Springs, Missouri will show their support with registration
 at 1:00 p.m. and the walk at 2:00 p.m.

 The walk in Topeka, Kansas will be on September 24, 2005 at Lake
 Shawnee Park, Shelter No. 4 with registration at 9:00 a.m. and the
 walk at 10:00 a.m.

 Richmond, Missouri will hold their 1st Annual Walk to D'Feet ALS on
 October 8, 2005 at Richmond High School. Registration is at 9:00 a.m.
 and the walk at 10:00 a.m.

 Phi Delta Theta fraternity at Northwest Missouri State in Maryville,
 Missouri will host a walk on October 15, 2005 at Beal Park.
 Registration at 9:00 a.m.; walk at 10:00 a.m.

 The Phi Delta Theta fraternity at The University of Kansas in
 Lawrence, Kansas is hosting a walk for the campus community on
 October 22, 2005 at Memorial Stadium parking lot No. 91. 1:00 p.m.
 registration; 2:00 p.m. walk.

Although some consider ALS a "rare" disease, every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with it, 300,000 people alive today in the U.S. will develop it, and 1 in every 50 families knows "first hand" about it. Hands that should be baking cookies are useless. Legs that have walked around the neighborhood are relegated to a wheelchair. With ALS, speech decreases to one syllable at a time until totally silenced.

The Walk to D'Feet ALS(r) is an opportunity for persons living with ALS and their friends and families, as well as the corporate community, to come together to celebrate the lives of their loved ones who have been affected by the disease. It is truly an emotional event honoring those who struggle with ALS and those who have lost their fight.

The purpose of the Walk is to raise awareness and funds to help support Chapter patient services programs and world-wide research efforts. Last year, $148,000 was raised in the Kansas City area Walks for this purpose.

Also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS is a neuromuscular disease that results in total muscle paralysis and ultimately death. Once diagnosed, life expectancy is usually two to five years. There is no treatment and no cure. The ALS Association is the only nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS.

For more information about the Walk to D'Feet ALS(r) and how you can step up to make a difference or to learn more about ALS and the Keith Worthington Chapter, visit www.alsa-midwest.org or call 913-648-2062.

CONTACT:   ALS Association, Keith Worthington Chapter
           Amie Jackson 
              913-648-2062 (ext 222) 
              ajackson@alsa-midwest.org 
           Zee Peters 
              913-648-2062 (ext 221)