#GivingTuesday is a nationally recognized day of philanthropic giving. According to the #GivingTuesday creators, it is a “global generosity movement.” Last year, the total amount that was donated to nonprofits in the U.S.A was $1,970,000,000.00! That is a pretty incredible number.
This year on #GivingTuesday, MOFF is emphasizing the urgency with which we need to invest in ALS research. Every 90 minutes someone dies of ALS. This has been happening since Lou Gehrig had the illness in 1939. Something needs to change, now. Every cent counts towards this fight.
Donate TodayIn 2019, MOFF hosted a #GivingTuesday campaign that provided information on the below ALS FAQs.
Q: Does ALS have a genetic cause?
A: Yes. 10% of all ALS cases are caused by genetic mutations that are inherited from a family member. 90% of ALS cases are sporadic in origin which means the cause is unknown. That being said, there are some gene mutations that are implicated in sporadic cases, such as the C9orf72 gene. The plot thickens.
Q: How does “sporadic” ALS happen??
A: We wish we knew! There are many scientific theories surrounding sporadic ALS. Here are a few: Oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, glutamate toxicity and toxic exposure (occupational hazards, cyanobacteria etc.). Read more here.
Q: Has anyone survived ALS?
A: Yes! Dr. Richard Bedlack at Duke studies what he calls “ALS reversals.” There are 48 documented cases of ALS being reversed. MOFF has committed funding to Dr. Bedlack’s research on the microbiome of people who have “reversed” ALS for FY2021.
Q: Did the Ice Bucket Challenge help at all?
A: Yes. The ice bucket challenge raised $115M in the U.S. alone. Internationally it raised $220 M. $90 M of those funds have been distributed throughout the scientific community and have lead to identification of new pathological mechanisms and genetic causes of the disease. Here is a breakdown of the impact of those funds.
Q: What type of ALS did Martha have?
A: Martha had bulbar-onset ALS.
Q: Is ALS more common in men or women?
A: ALS is 20% more common in men than women. However, according to recent research, the incidence becomes more evenly distributed among gender with increasing age.
