Research is one of the most critical components in battling this disease. As with most diseases, ALS research needs more funding so that better treatments – and ultimately a cure – can be found. The LVH Foundation was set up to fund The Duke ALS Clinic, started in 2000. The clinic has grown from a single neurologist following a handful of patients, to one of the largest and most comprehensive ALS clinics in the world. The staff has increased significantly since the beginning and now evaluates more than 150 new patients each year while following more than 400 patients.
The Duke ALS Clinic is seeks to find new and better options for patient treatment through research. It has participated in biomarker studies, genetics studies and epidemiology studies, with both small and large clinical trials. The clinic wants to significantly grow their research offerings to become a larger more comprehensive center, including work such as:
- Building a ALS patient database
- Creating North Carolina’s only ALS Tissue Bank
- Participating in early phase stem cell studies
- Launching a own home-grown translational program for developing new therapies that are available no where else
The ALS Reversals Program, supported by the Duke ALS Clinic, is the specific recipient of The LVH ALS Foundation’s fundraising efforts. This program attempts to understand and replicate the improvements that some subset of ALS patients have experienced over time. The approach first involves studying those who improve, then involves replicating their improvement experience with other ALS sufferers. Learn more about the studies and our support on our ALS Reversals page.
The amazing research and ideas for future treatments for ALS will only be possible through ongoing, financial support.
To learn more about ALS, its treatment, the research and philanthropic support, visit the Duke ALS Clinic.
A Message from Larry and Sarah Hughes with Dr. Richard Bedlack
Larry Hughes, along with his daughter Sarah Hughes and Dr. Richard Bedlack, discuss the impact of ALS in the hopes of raising awareness of the 30,000 Americans who are currently living the disease.