It is not uncommon to hear of a walk, race or a ride from one place to
another to garnish aid for a particular cause. What is uncommon is a
ride whose participants are the sufferers of a disease that severs the
brain’s
ability to control the body causing partial or full paralysis and
eventual death. These men and women are sufferers of ALS, better known
as Lou Gehreg’s disease and are riders of the Ride For Life, a 15 day
350
mile journey from New York to Washington DC.
The purpose of the Ride for Life is to educate people about Lou Gehrig’s
disease. As part of the effort, a medical advisory board has been
compiled of leading physicians in the field of neurology. Two renowned
medical professionals who join in the battle to overcome this disease
are Jeffrey Rothstein, MD, of Johns Hopkins University Hospital, and
Teepu Siddique, MD, of the Department of Neurology at Northwestern
University Medical School.
Dr. Rothstein is a leader in the research of Glutimate Toxicity. His
advances in this research have led to the creation of Rilutek, one of
the two drugs available for the treatment of ALS.
Dr. Siddique is a professor of Neurology and Cell and Molecular Biology.
He is the Director of numerous programs including the Neuromuscular
Disorder Program and the Lois Insola ALS Center Clinic.
“Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is one of the lesser-known
neurological disorders by the general public. This translates into a
grievous deficit in funds that is critical to research.” Said Dr.
Rothstein. “It is incumbent upon any physician or scientist involved in
this research to support efforts such as the Ride For Life, so that we
may be able to accomplish what we must in and out of the lab.” Added Dr.
Siddique.
The Ride for Life, PO Box 23, Harrington Park, NJ. 07640.
