There is exciting new research for a disease that, for a long time, had no or cure.
ALS became part of the mainstream vernacular as "Lou Gehrig's Disease" in the 1960s and gained even greater attention three years ago with the viral ice bucket challenge. The attention translated into an exponential increase in money raised and awareness.
The average patient with ALS has a life expectancy of 3 to 5 years after diagnosis.
Treece Parrata was diagnosed in 2014. Her doctor, Daragh Heitzman works in Dallas at Texas Neurology. He's been a part of upwards of 60 research projects for ALS.
Heitzman said there could be groundbreaking news in the form of new treatments for his patients in the coming months.
"It's not a cure," he said. "If it does work, what we're looking at is does it slow the disease down and it maybe is the combination of this and other drugs will have a cumulative effect and prolong people's lives and give them a better quality of life."
The results of the next trial for a drug called Tirasemtiv could be out within the next month.
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"If you tell someone you take this pill you'll live an extra year, that's dramatic," Heitzman said. "If it's five years, that's even greater."
If you want to help, we've got a way. The eighth annual Tee Up to Cure ALS golf tournament takes place in Frisco Saturday and I will help host the event. For more information, visit www.wewillcureals.com.
