Please join Team Abrams/Mello (aka AAA) at the 2012 Peachtree Road Race and help us raise money to fight Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Click the big blue DONATE button or go one step further and help us fundraise by sharing this page with all of your family and friends.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing muscle weakness and atrophy. Although the progression of the disease varies by patient, over time, ALS severely compromises voluntary muscle movement, making it difficult or impossible to walk, speak, eat, swallow, and breathe. Most people with ALS die from respiratory failure, usually within three to five years from the onset of symptoms. The median survival time from onset to death is around 39 months, and only 4% survive longer than 10 years. There is currently no known cure for ALS.

In late 2011, our uncle Brendan became very ill and was diagnosed with ALS in early 2012. He fought the devastating disease courageously and gracefully, but ultimately lost his battle only a few months after diagnosis, surrounded by family in Ireland. Brendan was an inspiration to all who were fortunate enough to know him – a loving family member, devoted priest, committed educator, perceptive counselor and spirited friend. We miss him every day, and hope to honor his memory by running the Peachtree Road Race and raising money to help quickly and permanently end the suffering caused by this terrible disease.

The ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) is a non-profit biotechnology company dedicated to developing effective treatments for ALS. Like us, ALS TDI believes that ALS is a crisis deserving of an urgent response. ALS TDI was the first non-profit biotech in the field, and now operates the world's largest research and development program focused on ALS. ALS TDI is efficient, earning CharityNavigator.org's top rating, and was the recipient of the largest grant ever given by the world's largest ALS research funder, The Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Click here to learn more about Brendan.

Click here to visit the ALS TDI website.

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