MAY 2017 34 | FRONTDOORSMEDIA .COM {charity spotlight} GIVING BACK The ALS Association Arizona Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord, leading to paralysis and ultimately, death. Unfortunately, there is no cure to date. “Historically, we’ve tried several different drugs to treat patients, and over 20 years we’ve had failure after failure,” said Dr. Bowser, director of the ALS Research Center at the Barrow Neurological Institute and co-chair of this year’s Bite Nite. Fortunately, new research is creating options for treatment. In the last five years, researchers have put together sup-populations of those with ALS, and treatment options that work for their specific variant of the disease. “ALS is a very heterogeneous disease,” Bowser said. “It’s not surprising that there’s not a medication that can cure everyone.” According to the ALS Association, as many as 20,000 Americans have the disease at any given time; however, the disease has historically been known as Lou Gehrig’s disease after the well-known baseball player. ALS was thrust into the national spotlight during the summer of 2014 when the viral “ice bucket challenge” took hold of the Internet. Executive Director of the ALS Association Arizona, Taryn Norley, was able to experience the phenomenon firsthand. She recalls the phones ringing off the hook with challenge participants calling the association asking for permission to come down to the office to do the ice challenge bucket there or with members of the staff. “It was amazing and just being a part of it was so cool,” she said. “The donations really helped us sustain the organization.” Jamie Killin | CONTRIBUTING WRITER The CAUSE

MAY 2017 FRONTDOORSMEDIA .COM | 35 PHOENIX BITE NIGHT Saturday, June 3, 2017 6:00PM – 10:00PM The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa TUCSON BITE NIGHT Saturday August 26, 2017 6:00PM – 10:00PM The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa Bite Night Photo Credit:ALS Association Arizona