Questions? +1 (202) 335-3939 Login
Trusted News Since 1995
A service for researchers · Thursday, March 28, 2024 · 699,576,671 Articles · 3+ Million Readers

Anthony Barraco Provides Support Through Donation After Father's ALS Diagnosis

When a family member has ALS, many people become affected.

BRADENTON, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES, March 15, 2018 /EINPresswire.com/ -- When a family member has ALS, many people become affected. Those close to the individual go through the pain and tribulations associated with the side effects of ALS. Anthony Barraco has seen his father suffer because of the side effects of ALS, which is why he donated $50,000 in December to the ALS Association.

Also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a condition which destroys the body's neurons managing voluntary muscles. As those nerves die, the person loses control of their muscles. Furthermore, as the disease worsens, the person loses the ability to speak, swallow, speak, and eventually, to breathe.

No Cure For ALS
As of this moment, there is no cure for ALS. Thousands of Americans have died because of this disease. Based on the United States population studies, over 6,000 people in the country become diagnosed every year with ALS.

That comes out to 15 new cases of ALS every day. Also, studies have shown that more than 200,000 American have ALS at any given time.

About one in 25,000 will become diagnosed with ALS. After diagnosis, most of these people die within two to five years. The common cause of death in these deaths has been respiratory failure.

However, there is hope to live long after diagnosis. Studies show that almost five-percent of people go on to live for 20 years or more after diagnosis.

Most people who develop ALS are between the ages of 40 and 70. The average age of an ALS patient is 55.

Once the disease starts, it almost always progresses quickly. But how fast ALS proceeds depends on the person to person case. One thing is for sure though, and that is a lifespan becomes shorten with ALS.

"Our family has gone through a lot with my father suffering from ALS," says Anthony Barraco. "I hope the donation helps in more research and a cure becoming available to the individuals suffering, like my father. We fully support the efforts of the ALS Association."

Donations from people like Barraco help research and care continue into the future. Donors make a difference.

"The ALS Association makes each donor feel special no matter how much he or she gives," says Barraco. "The donation I made provides services to those suffering from the disease. They are truly thankful."

Medications For Patients Who Have ALS
But through medication, ALS can become slowed down. There are two medications which have proven helpful in slowing down the progression of the disease. These forms of medicine extend the life of people living with ALS. While these medicines have shown to push back the time a patient will need help mechanical to breathe, they cannot fix the damage already done.

"Because of donations, medications have become available so we can spend more time with our father," says Barraco.

The two types of medication are Edaravone (Radicava) and Riluzole (Rilutek).

Edaravone is administered through an IV and is an antioxidant that can prevent damage to nerve cells from toxic substances called free radicals. But it's unclear how it works to slow the natural progression with AIS.

Taken orally, Riluzole helps reduce damage to the patient's motor nerves. The medicine reduces the amount of glutamate in the system -- which carries chemical messages to the nerves.

ALS Association History
The ALS Association, established in 1985, has become the only national non-profit group fighting ALS on different fronts. The association leads to the global research of the disease, coordinating care through certified care facilities, and providing assistance to patients with ALS.

Over the prior 33 years, the ALS Association has invested around $70 million for ALS research and care. While no cure has become evident, many new breakthroughs in treatment take place because of donations made by people like Anthony Barraco.

Eric Ash
Web Presence, LLC
941-266-8620
email us here

Powered by EIN Presswire


EIN Presswire does not exercise editorial control over third-party content provided, uploaded, published, or distributed by users of EIN Presswire. We are a distributor, not a publisher, of 3rd party content. Such content may contain the views, opinions, statements, offers, and other material of the respective users, suppliers, participants, or authors.

Submit your press release