ALS Podcast

Allison Lardner is the Associate Director of the national Walk program at The ALS Association. In this podcast, she talks with us about what makes the Walk to Defeat ALS so special and effective, how a company can be successful as a sponsor, and why people come back year after year to participate in a walk. Listen, share, and join a Walk to Defeat ALS in our Chapter region at www.gpcwalktodefeatals.org

Greater Philadelphia Walk to Defeat ALS chair Chris Martin talks about the Walk to Defeat ALS, getting corporate sponsorship, and, most importantly, the effect his father's battle with ALS had on him and his family. Join Chris at a walk this fall at www.gpcwalktodefeatals.org

Jeanette Beck was the top individual fundraiser for the 2015 Hershey Walk to Defeat ALS this May and it was also Kerry Durkan's first official walk as part of the ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter staff. Listen as Kerry talks about her first experience with a walk and Jeanette shares how she has used her personal story for years to raise money and awareness to fight ALS, including establishing a Named Fund. Continue to Challenge ALS at www.alsphiladelphia.org and support a walk at www.gpcwalktodefeatals.org all year round.

Melanie Fried-Oken, Ph.D., CCC/Sp is a certified speech-language pathologist and a leading international clinician and researcher in the field of Augmentative and Alternative Communication. In this podcast, Dr. Fried-Oken talks about Brain Computer Interface and how this emerging technology will help people with ALS and others who are "locked in" communicate with the world and have a higher quality of life. Listen and then get involved at www.alsphiladelphia.org and follow on social media @alsphiladelphia

Holly Bennett has been one of the leaders of the Lehigh Valley Walk to Defeat ALS for over 10 years running and continues to raise money and awareness with the same energy as when she started. In this podcast, Holly joins Chapter Events Director Allison Walker, herself in her second podcast, to talk about the evolution of the Lehigh Valley Walk to Defeat ALS, why the cause is so personal to everybody, and how people can get involved. Join them at a Walk at www.gpcwalktodefeatals.org

In this episode, Marcia Obermann talks about the challenges faced when traveling for people with ALS and gives some helpful tips for families during the busy travel season. These ideas include how to have lists handy, labelling cords, and working with hotels to make sure your accomodations are satisfactory.Learn more about ALS and how you can participate, advocate and donate at www.alsphiladelphia.orgFollow the Greater Philadelphia Chapter on Social Media @alsphiladelphia

15 year old Shohini Banerjee, a Warwick High School sophomore from South Central, PA, was named grand champion at the North Museum Science & Engineering Fair for her ALS research project. She has even gone on to give a TedX talk on her research work and new understanding of ALS. This impressive young woman joins our podcast to talk about her research, why this cause is important to her, and her experience at the 2015 Hershey Walk to Defeat ALS. You can support the Hershey walk all year round at www.hersheywalktodefeatals.org or support the cause generally at www.alsphiladelphia.org

Lauren Santye joins the ALS Podcast to talk about how her family dealt with her mother's battle against ALS, the services utilized through The ALS Association, deciding to start a named fund in her mom's memory, and the work that goes into having a successful fundraising event. She also talks about the friends made as a result of the Ice Bucket Challenge. Listen and share and then get involved at www.alsphiladelphia.org and on all social media channels @alsphiladelphia

Merisa Palovcak works as a Speech Pathologist with Good Shepherd Penn Partners, specializing in assisting people with ALS. In this podcast, she talks about speech and swallowing issues, how she helps people in the multidisciplinary setting, communication between caregiver and person with ALS, and when her services and advice become needed. This information from Merisa is valuable to people at any stage progression with ALS, as well as for their families.Find out more about fighting ALS at www.alsphiladelphia.org

Nicole Yarab, Director of Certified Center Programs at The ALS Association, joins the ALS Podcast to talk about the benefits of multidisciplinary care, the scope of the national clinic programs, and the evolution of ALS care services. Listen, share, and donate online at www.alsphiladelphia.org or join a Walk to Defeat ALS team at www.gpcwalktodefeatals.org