There is no way to tell who will be diagnosed with sporadic ALS. The most common group of sufferers, however, is white males between the ages of 40 and 70, with an average age of 55. Every day, fifteen people in the U.S. are diagnosed, which adds up to 5,600 new cases each year. Only 7% of those diagnosed are minorities. Scientists are currently researching environmental and genetic factors that may lead to the disease, but no one knows for sure what causes the disease.

Familial ALS is a different story.  If one of your parents has this type of ALS, you have a 50% chance of containing the same genetic mutation.

No.  Although the source of the disease is unknown, we know that it is not spread as other diseases are, such as the flu or even HIV.

This disease attacks the motor neurons, which in turn causes the muscles to "waste."  It does not, however, affect cognitive function.  As the body wastes away, the person's mind remains the same as it was before the disease.  A common misconception of the disease is that the person does not understand what is going on around him/her.

There is no known cause for sporatic ALS.  Some scientists speculate that there is an unknown environmental or genetic factor that contributes to the disease.  Twenty percent of familial ALS cases are due to a mutation in the gene that codes for the SOD1 enzyme, which is an antioxidant.

There is no cure for this disease yet.  The only way we can help those with ALS is by helping them adapt to their deteriorating situation and by making them comfortable in times of pain.

Vist the ALS Association at www.alsa.org to either donate money or to look up a list of awareness events or fundraisers in your area.