Privileged Resolution 000123

..Title Honoring the ALS Hope Foundation for its work in the research and treatment of "Lou Gehrig's Disease." ..Body WHEREAS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is a fatal motor neuron disease. ALS strikes people in the prime of their lives, robbing them of the ability to walk, talk, swallow and eventually breathe. There is no known cause and there is no cure; and WHEREAS, In 1984, the MCP-Hahnemann ALS Center, was co-founded by nationally recognized neurologist and researcher, Terry Heiman-Patterson, M.D., as the first certified multidisciplinary clinic in the country; and WHEREAS, At the Philadelphia location, ALS patients benefit from the expertise of a team of professionals that includes a neurologist, a nurse, physical and occupational therapists, a speech and swallowing therapist, a nutritionist and a social worker; and WHEREAS, In 1999, Dr. Heiman-Patterson founded the ALS Hope Foundation for the purpose of creating a secure funding base for ALS programs throughout the region; and WHEREAS, The Foundation will initially fund ongoing clinical and basic ALS research in the area and ultimately fund the creation of an institute devoted to research focusing on finding a cure for ALS and other motor neuron diseases; and WHEREAS, The creation of the ALS Hope Foundation enhances Philadelphia as a leader in medical research by creating a unique funding source that will stabilize research aimed at unlocking the mystery of ALS and other motor neuron diseases; now therefore RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we commend the ALS Hope Foundation for its work in the research and treatment of Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis. RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Terry Heiman-Patterson, further evidencing the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.