FL H9061

Designates May 2011 as "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month" in Florida

ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord with early symptoms including muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, talking, and breathing

Average survival rate for ALS patients is 2 to 5 years after diagnosis, and the disease has no known cause, prevention method, or cure

Military veterans are at least twice as likely to develop ALS compared to non-veterans

Awareness designation aims to increase public understanding of ALS impact on patients and families while building support for biomedical research