SHAWNEE MISSION, Kansas, May 10, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The ALS Association Keith Worthington Chapter is proud to announce Stan Thirsk, mentor, and Tom Watson, Stan's student, will participate in the 3rd annual Joe McGuff ALS Golf Classic. The tournament will be held Monday, May 23, 2005 at the Nicklaus Golf Club at LionsGate, Overland Park, Kan.
These Kansas City golf legends are taking a stand against an opponent larger than any they have found on the golf course. Along with other hometown celebrities, Stan and Tom are lending not only their names but their invincible spirit to the fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly referred to as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease.
In the United States, there are more than 300,000 faces, names, families and stories in the battle against ALS including, Joe McGuff, Kansas City sportswriter and editor, who was diagnosed with the disease in 1999. At any given time, it is estimated that as many as 30,000 Americans have the disease. The current life expectancy is two to five year after diagnosis of ALS, which ultimately imprisons them in their own bodies. Those living with ALS lose the ability of the brain to start and control all voluntary muscle control including the ability to move, speak and eventually swallow and breathe. Although their muscles become useless, their minds remain alert, which leaves people living with ALS painfully aware of what is happening to them. Currently, treatment for ALS is aimed at relieving symptoms, preventing complications, and maintaining optimal function and quality of life. There is no known cure for ALS
The Keith Worthington Chapter serves Kansas, Nebraska and the western half of Missouri with offices in Kansas City, Wichita, Omaha and Springfield. The chapter provides a wide range of services for people with ALS, their caregivers, families, and friends. These services include in-home consultations with professional staff, support groups, caregiver training, information and educational materials, equipment loan pools, computerized speech-assistance devices, newsletters and in-home consultations with professional staff. The staff averages 370 personal calls and visits a month. The Chapter raises funds throughout its service area for patient services and research.
For more information about ALS and the Keith Worthington Chapter, visit www.alsa-midwest.org. For more information about the ALS Golf Classic call Zee Peters at (913) 648-2062 ext 221.