ALS Podcast

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 

Greater Philadelphia Chapter board member Danielle Mariano joins the ALS Podcast to discuss her father's battle with Lou Gehrig's Disease, the named fund set up in his memory, and her involvement in the Hershey Walk to Defeat ALS. Join Danielle, her team, and over a 1,000 others on June 6, 2015 for the Hershey Walk to Defeat ALS at www.hersheywalktodefeatals.org 

Karen Delaney Shideleff, along with sisters Kathy and Chrissie and cousin Chantelle with her daughter Delaney, take part in this podcast episode recorded literally in the halls of the United States Congress. The Delaney family was once again on hand for annual ALS Advocacy Days in Washington, DC to make the case for funding ALS research. Listen to their family story, which includes over two dozen members of the extended family having had a familial form of ALS, how they get involved in research studies, and their participation in the upcoming ALS Express bike ride and the Walk to Defeat ALS.Join them at ALS Express on May 30 at www.als-express.org Join Delaney Strong and other teams at a Walk to Defeat ALS at www.gpcwalktodefeatals.org 

Kelly Almasy sits down with the ALS Association Podcast to discuss her role as Clinical Research Coordinator at the ALS Treatment Center at Pennsylvania Hospital. In this podcast, she talks about the process of clinical trials, why things take time and money, how people can get involved, and what motivates everybody at the ALS Center to work towards a cure. Listen and then join Kelly at an event, as a donor, or as an advocate at www.alsphiladlephia.org 

Pennsylvania State Representative Bryan Cutler joins the podcast to talk about his parents' battles with ALS, how the fight against ALS is personal to him, taking his story to Harrisburg, and how people can be effective advocates for ALS patient care and research.Get involved in advocacy at www.alsphiladelphia.org/advocate or email Tony@alsphiladelphia.org

In this episode, Barry Schultz and his wife Susan talk about his many years living with ALS, the support of family and friends, and their active participation in the ALS Express Bike Ride. Join Barry and his team Barry's Bikers, or form your own team, for the 2015 bike ride at www.als-express.org To learn more about the fight against ALS, visit www.alsphiladelphia.org and follow on all social media @alsphiladelphia 

For over a decade, Jim DeAngelis of the Lakewood BlueClaws baseball team and Allison Walker, Events Director at the Greater Philadelphia Chapter, have worked together on the Walk to Defeat ALS. What was once the Seaside Board...Walk to Defeat ALS is now the Lakewood Walk to Defeat ALS, which this year takes place on Saturday, May 2. In this podcast, Jim and Allison talk about organizing the walk, how it has grown, and why this event is so meaningful to both of them.Listen, share, and support the walk at www.lakewoodwalktodefeatals.org Find a walk near you at www.gpcwalktodefeatals.org or donate directly to the cause at www.alsphiladelphia.org 

In this episode, Nina Kelly talks about her husband's battle with ALS, how the disease has united her family and community and, along with Planned Giving Manager Donna Cleary, talks about how individuals can be successful fundraisers for the ALS cause. Lean more about how you can get involved at www.alsphiladelphia.org and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube at @alsphiladelphia