ALS Podcast

Jill Cawthern was just 9 years old when her father Tom passed away from ALS in 2001. Since then, her family has continued to fight ALS in his name in many ways, especially with ALS Advocacy. For a decade now, Jill has attended ALS Advocacy Days in Washington, DC with her mother Jayne, where she has made friend and, more importantly, made a difference in securing funding for vital research programs. Listen, share, subscribe, and join us for Advocacy Days in Washington, DC from May 8-10 at www.alsa.org/advocacy/

Jen LaRegina has been a nurse with The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter for eight years, with a focus on Northeast Pennsylvania. Her hometown of Sugarloaf may be small, but she has a wide reach to help people with ALS and their families. In this podcast, Jen talks about how care has improved in her eight years, providing services to a rural population, and the benefits of technology. This May, Jen will be involved with the NEPA Walk to Defeat ALS. Join her at www.nepawalktodefeatals.org

Jamey Piggott has worked for The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter for roughly six months, but he's been connected to the ALS cause for many years. In this podcast, Jamey shares stories of his friend Wes's battle with ALS, how the events department works at the Chapter, and what he learned at the annual ALS Association Leaderships Conference. Jamey is very involved in the ALS Express Ride to Defeat ALS, Hot Chocolate, and the Walk to Defeat ALS. Join him at one of these events at www.alsphiladelphia.org

Everyone involved in the fight against ALS has an inspiration. For Tony Heyl, the Director of Communications and Public Policy at the Greater Philadelphia Chapter, that inspiration was his grandfather, who passed away in 2007 from the disease. In this podcast, Tony talks to his dad, Tom Heyl, about caring for someone with ALS, facing tough conversations with a loved one, and the support of a local ALS Association Chapter. Listen, share, subscribe on iTunes, comment, and then support the ALS Care Appreciation Fund at www.alsphiladelphia.org/careappreciation

Bob Grimes is loving husband to Despina, who has been living with ALS for ten years. He appreciates every day with her, but he also realizes that he needs help along the way to be a caregiver and to relieve some of his own stress. In addition to using the clinic services at Hershey Medical Center, Bob and Despina have begun using the Howard I. Abrams In Home Care Program, which provides up to 12 hours of in home care for a person with ALS per week. 

Listen, share, subscribe on iTunes and support this program at www.alsphiladelphia.org/abrams

Episode 1 of the ALS Podcast featured Larry Kaplan talking about Hot Chocolate 2015. Now, one year later, his wife Jill Kaplan joins the podcast to talk about Hot Chocolate 2016! She is joined by Maryellen Bowers of Cakes and Candies by Maryellen as they both discuss how they prepare for the annual Hot Chocolate event, what guests can expect, recruiting sponsors, and why you should attend this year. Learn more about Hot Chocolate at Adventure Aquarium at www.alsphiladelphia.org/hot-chocolate

Phil Avillo is a United States Marine veteran of the Vietnam War, an amputee, college professor, coach of many sports, loving husband and father, and is living with ALS. His many years of life experience, particularly his willingness to walk away from what was familiar at points in his personal history, have prepared him for this next step of being an ALS advocate. As Phil gets ready to raise awareness for the Hershey Walk to Defeat ALS, he joins the ALS Podcast to discuss his life, his diagnosis, and what he hopes to accomplish next. Listen, share, subscribe, and join his walk efforts at www.alsphiladelphia.org

ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter staff nurse Gail Houseman started the Chapter's Visiting Volunteer program 15 years ago. Since then, over 100 volunteers have participated in the program to provide help and companionship to people with ALS in the Chapter's area. Kelly Slipakoff was the very first VV and she continues to be involved in the program to this day. In this podcast, Gail and Kelly talk about the program, what they've learned, and how to be good friends to those living with the disease and their families.

Get involved today as a volunteer, advocate, or donor at www.alsphiladelphia.org

Sarah Brendle was diagnosed with ALS in 2009. Since then, she has been active in the ALS community and active as a mother raising three smart, caring children. In this podcast, she discusses how it felt to learn that she had ALS, the help from her family, the services from The ALS Association, and the many events that she has participated in over the years. Sarah also talks about the value of sharing her story with others. Listen, share, subscribe on iTunes, and get involved today at www.alsphiladelphia.org

In the final ALS Podcast of 2015, Steve Hildebrand talks about his wife's battle with ALS, the events the family has participated in over the years, and raising a young daughter all along the way. He explains the many challenges of being a caregiver. Listen, subscribe on iTunes, and honor caregivers with a donation at www.alsphiladelphia.org/careappreciation