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QUARTERLY NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE ALS ASSOCIATION FLORIDA CHAPTER

Cutting-edge Research

SUMMER 2012

A C C E S SA

at the Mayo ALS Clinic in Jacksonville

Wendy Bitner Remembers Her Husband,

Former RPOF Chair

2012 Walk Season Highlights

First Ever Navy Walk Team Inspired By ALS Advocate

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Dear Friends and Supporters,

I’ve been thinking about innovation lately. We are fortunate to have a team of the best, most innovative team members working on your behalf here at the Florida Chapter. The people we serve- those living with ALS in the State of Florida- tell us what they need, how we should allocate our resources, and where it’s important for the Chapter to focus. And we listen. That’s where innovation comes in. Because it takes innovation to make sure that we are helping the most people we can and stewarding our resources in the best way, and to do that, we sometimes need to get creative.

So when we heard we need more awareness, we partnered with Dunn&Co. on our new awareness campaign, “Walk In Their Shoes.” When we heard that Panhandle pALS don’t have access to services, we developed and received funding for “HUGS,” an innovative telephone support group. When we heard that Miami pALS are also underserved by the Chapter, we partnered with VITAS Innovative Hospice Care to help us facilitate expanding support group services. The mission of this Chapter is moved forward every day through innovation.

I was reminded of innovation during a recent conversation with Dr. Clifton Gooch at the ALS Multi-Disciplinary Clinic at the University of South Florida. Dr. Gooch explained how USF is committed to becoming a leader in the develop-ment of new therapies for motor neuron disease, translating research from their laboratories to clinical trials. Researchers are in the process of organizing a human pilot trial testing the safety and efficacy of umbilical stem cell infusion therapy in ALS patients. Now that’s innovation! And at the University of Florida in Gainesville, the project ‘Neuroinflammation in ALS’ has been conditionally approved for one year by the Association through our TREAT ALS Research Program. The project will rigorously test the role of inflammatory cytokines in ALS disease pathogenesis. These are just two of the many examples of the innovative ALS research that need funding happening in Florida right now.

We recently developed an innovative way to spread the word about what the Chapter and how you can help. On September 7th, at 11:15am, and the first Friday every month thereafter (excluding June, July, May, December), we will host our new HOPE and Help Tour at the ALS Clinic at USF. I hope you will join us. The tour is free, lasts just one hour, and includes lunch. Contact Stephanie Cvetetic at 1-888-257-1717 or scvetetic@alsafl.org for reservations.

With your help and generosity, we can continue to provide innovative programs for those living with ALS, make some much-needed noise about this disease, and fund the innova-tive research happening in Florida. Won’t you please make your gift today?

With Gratitude,

Kim Hanna

STAFFKim Hanna President and CEO khanna@alsafl.org - ext. 105

CARE SERVICES

Christine Bright, MSW Care Services Director cbright@alsafl.org - ext. 130

Heran Sisay, MA Care Coordinator, Greater Tampabay hsisay@alsafl.org - ext. 103

Aimee Freedman, BSW Care Coordinator, Northcentral FL afreedman@alsafl.org - ext. 117

Judie Benwick, MSH, MPH, CHES Care Coordinator, North Florida jbenwick@alsafl.org - ext. 112

Rhonda Rittenhouse, MA, LMFT Care Coordinator, Centraleast FL rrittenhouse@alsafl.org - ext. 109

Patricia Stanco, MHS Care Coordinator, Southwest FL pstanco@alsafl.org - ext. 110

Jessica Bianchi, MBA Care Coordinator, Southeast FL jbianchi@alsafl.org - ext. 122

Katie Mitchell, MSWCare Coordinator, West Central FL kmitchell@alsafl.org - ext. 116

Loreen O’Brien, M. Div, M. Ed Care Coordinator, Polk, Hardee & Manatee Counties lobrien@alsafl.org - ext. 123 FUND DEVELOPMENTStephanie Cvetetic Director of Development scvetetic@alsafl.org - ext. 124

Whitney Brew Event Director, and Sarasota Walk wbrew@alsafl.org – ext. 102

Lizzie Danner Walk Manager Jacksonville, Tallahassee ldanner@alsafl.org - ext. 115

Diana Perrault Walk Manager Orlando, Tampa dperrault@alsafl.org - ext. 111

Paige McLean Event Coordinator pmclean@alsafl.org - ext. 118

BOARD OF TRUSTEESWarren Nelson

Chairman

Jim Murphy, Jr.

Secretary

BOARD MEMBERS

Wendy Bitner John Cannistra Kevin Conn Tim Cummings Steve Franks Robbie Gerson Hiram Green Erin Malone Tom McLean Bob Miller Jim Moroney Dewayne Standifer Sandi Torres Leland Talcott

Kim Hanna

President and CEO

David Smith Honorary Board Chair

The ALS Association Florida Chapter

3242 Parkside Center Circle | Tampa, FL 33619-0907

Toll Free: 888-257-1717 | 813-637-9000 | www.ALSAFL.org

AWARENESS

Alissa Gutierrez Marketing & Communications Director agutierrez@alsafl.org - ext. 120

Patti Palmer Awareness Coordinator ppalmer@alsafl.org - ext. 131

ADMINISTRATION

Lisa Bublinec Office Administrator lbublinec@alsafl.org - ext. 108

Robin See Bookkeeper rsee@alsafl.org - ext. 104

Gabby Harrison Donor Relations Manager gharrison@alsafl.org - ext 101

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Innovation

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Honoring a Husband’s Last Wishes Florida’s Former RPOF Chairman Leaves A Loving Legacy

Dave Bitner was sworn in as Chairman of the Republi-can Party of Florida on January 15, 2011. For those

who saw him take his oath that day, a strapping, 6’3” vision of a man, Bitner appeared to be someone in the prime of his life. Only weeks later, people were shocked to see him using a motorized scooter to tend to party business.

“We were on the road for six weeks straight, it was an exhausting schedule,” his wife Wendy says. “We didn’t stop the entire time and visited 64 of Florida’s 67 counties. It was important to Dave.”

By early January, however, Dave was experiencing muscle weakness in his legs. Wendy blamed the grueling campaign schedule they’d been on. But by the end of February, Dave required a walker to get around. “We thought it might be diabetic neuropathy,” Wendy said.

But Dave’s symptoms continued to worsen. By March, he was using a power wheelchair. And so, as is the case for so many people, Dave underwent a battery of tests to begin ruling out a myriad of other diseases.

On April 1, 2011, Dave Bitner, Chairman of the Repub-lican Party of America’s biggest battleground state, was diagnosed with ALS. It was no April Fool’s joke.

Despite learning he had Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Dave refused to slow down. Never willing to give in to his body’s slow degeneration, Dave continued to travel the state, do-ing the job he was elected to carry out.

“By July, Dave was a complete quadriplegic, but he refused to slow down,” Wendy says. “He was an inspira-tion to so many, many people – he just would not let this disease stop him from doing what needed to be done.”

In addition to his responsibilities as RPOF Chair, Dave Bit-ner had a cause that was very important to him – honoring veterans of WWII. He began a “Greatest Generation Tour” to honor Floridians who served in the Second World War. Nearly 250,000 Floridians bore arms in service while the population surged on the home front. Military bases began to expand across the state while others were created to support the war effort overseas. Florida played a pivotal role during the war and was able to emerge as a top influ-ential state in America.

Dave planned luncheons in eight cities across the state to not only recognize WWII veterans for their achievements, but to honor and thank them for their heroic sacrifice and service to their country and the great State of Florida. He attended five of the eight gatherings – the last in Orlando on August 29, 2011.

Dave Bitner served as Florida’s GOP Chairman from Janu-ary to September. During his nine-month journey, he never lost his sense of humor, or his faith and optimism that

he could still accomplish much, despite the mutiny his body was waging against him.

On September 8, 2011, Dave Bitner passed away at his Monticello home with Wendy by his side.

Wendy, along with the Republican Party of Florida, has vowed to complete her husband’s “Greatest Generation Tour,” and will attend its three final luncheons: The Villages, Miami, and one in Tampa during the Republican Convention in August.

She will continue to advocate for ALS awareness and the importance of finding treatments and a cure.

“The biggest challenge with this disease is that so many people are unaware of what’s happening to them,” she said. “By the time my husband was diagnosed, it was too late.”

Wendy hopes that someday soon, there will be a test to determine if a person has ALS or not. “A definitive blood test would have given us more time.”

Wendy was recently voted in as a member of the Board of Trustees of The ALS Association Florida Chapter and has vowed to use her connections and those of her her late husband to help people across the state living with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

In her fondest memory of one of the last precious days she spent with her husband, Wendy recounts a trip they were on with Dave’s assistant, Caroline Carswell. Wendy and Caroline were taking turns feeding Dave appetizers as they relaxed after a long, tiring day. A woman approached their table and commented to Dave, “You are the most hand-some man I’ve ever seen.” Without missing a beat, Dave replied, “I’m the luckiest man who ever had ALS.”

Dave Bitner lost his battle with ALS in September of 2011

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Breaking Down the Mysteries of ALSRight in our own backyard

Along with state of the art symptom management at

the Mayo Center of Excellence ALS multidisciplinary

clinic, the ALS clinic at Mayo Jacksonville continues to

make strides in ALS research and the development of

new therapies, testing promising new medicines for Lou

Gehrig’s Disease.

Kevin Boylan, M.D., who formed the clinic seven years ago

and serves as its medical director, says the ALS research

program at Mayo includes many facets and is unusually

broad in terms of range.

“Our research program focuses on ways to try and identify

new and more effective medicines and to figure out how

and why people get ALS,” he said.

A NEW DRUG TO IMPROVE MUSCLE STRENGTH

Of particular interest, Mayo recently participated in drug

studies sponsored nationally on a small scale by Cytoki-

netics, Inc. This study evaluated the effects of the drug,

CK-2017357, which selectively activates the fast skeletal

muscle troponin complex by increasing its sensitivity to

calcium and appears to increase skeletal muscle force in

response to neuronal input, delaying onset and reducing

the degree of muscle fatigue. In short, the drug is intended

to improve stamina for physical activities.

Mayo Clinic Florida was one of a small number of U.S.

sites involved in the first testing with ALS patients a year

ago.

According to Dr. Boylan, “In the first study, we saw an

indication that this drug might be promising,” he said.

In a second study with CK-201357, ALS patients took the

drug on a daily basis and the results were again encourag-

ing. It is hoped that a larger study will be launched for the

next stage of testing conducted by Cytokinetics.

According to the company, Cytokinetics has met with

the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Drug

Evaluation and Research’s Division of Neurology Products

and with the European Medicines Agency to discuss its

progress in the development of CK-2017357 as a potential

treatment for patients with ALS and the company’s plans

for its further development, including potential registra-

tion strategies. Cytokinetics is assessing options that

may enable the initiation of a registration program for

CK-2017357 and anticipates having additional interac-

tions with U.S. and European regulatory authorities during

2012.

Speaking at the 2012 Experimental Biology Annual Con-

ference in San Francisco in late April, Cytokinetics’ Vice

President of Biology and Therapeutics, Fady I. Malik, MD,

PhD, FACC, said “We are pleased that these preclinical

data demonstrate the potential of CK-2017357 in resis-

tance of fatigue in animal models.”

Dr. Malik added, “This presentation, in combination with

the data presented at the 64th Annual Meeting of the

American Academy of Neurology, point to the potential

role that CK-2017357 may have in improving function and

decreasing limitations associated with fatigue in patients

with debilitating diseases of impaired muscle function,

such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.”

One of the most exciting discover-ies in the 71 years since Lou Geh-rig died has been the identification of a genetic mutation that causes ALS and frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, by a team led by Dr. Rosa Rademakers at the Mayo last fall. The two disorders are linked.

BY ALISSA GUTIERREZ

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Breaking Down the Mysteries of ALSRight in our own backyard

DRUG TO HELP MOOD AND BEHAVIOR ISSUES

Mayo Clinic Florida is also involved in a study to see

whether a medication already available for treatment of

pseudobulbar affect (PBA) in ALS may have positive ef-

fects on behavioral symptoms that can occur in ALS. PBA

is characterized by involuntary, sudden, and frequent epi-

sodes of laughing and/or crying, typically out of proportion

to a person’s underlying emotional state. Some people

with ALS may also develop changes in personality and

behavior that can strain interpersonal relationships, and

more treatment options for this are needed.

“This drug may offer additional benefits in people with

ALS beyond what has already been established for this

drug in previous studies,” Dr. Boylan said.

RESEARCH TO DEVELOP BIOMARKERS FOR ALS

Mayo is working with a small number of other ALS centers

in the U.S. to collect blood and spinal fluid samples every

four months from people with ALS. These samples will

serve as a repository of stored samples for future research

to identify markers in blood and spinal fluid that can be

used to track nerve damage in ALS. Dr. Boylan says the

study will eventually encompass samples from more than

200 people with ALS.

“This study will allow scientists to identify markers, also

called biomarkers, in blood and spinal fluid samples, pro-

viding them with more precise measures for testing ALS,”

he said, “It is hoped that biomarker research will lead to

a direct test for this disease and tests to measure ongoing

motor neuron damage.”

Currently, there is no direct test to measure nerve damage

in ALS. The only way now to track progression of ALS is by

measuring muscle strength or determining how long a per-

son lives. These measures require long follow up intervals

in order to reliably determine how a person is progressing,

and in the case of an experimental drug, whether the drug

is having an effect. Because of this, drug studies for Lou

Gehrig’s Disease have to be done on a large scale and are

very expensive. This is an important reason why pharma-

ceutical companies may be reluctant to invest in research

on potential new medications for ALS. Identifying direct

markers of nerve damage in ALS that can be detected in

the blood or spinal fluid, could offer a more effective way

to assess nerve damage. This could allow experimental

medications to be evaluated in less time and with fewer

patients than is now required, making drug development

for ALS more attractive to the pharmaceutical industry.

The Mayo Clinic Florida ALS Center has been work-

ing with researchers at the University of Florida on

a promising new ALS

biomarker called neurofilament heavy

form. The level of neurofilament in

blood and spinal fluid may provide

an indication of how rapidly ALS is

progressing.

According to Dr. Boylan, the

multi-center collection of blood

and spinal fluid for biomarker

research is exciting for two

reasons. First, this is the first large scale ALS research

effort to collect blood and spinal fluid samples over an ex-

tended time period, and will provide a samples from PALS

with forms of ALS that represent different sites of onset

and rates of progression in order to identify biomarkers

linked to the presence of ALS and its rate of progression.

Second, the samples collected will allow scientists to com-

pare findings in blood and spinal fluid in order to look for

biomarkers that could make it possible to determine how

someone is responding to treatment.

“This will help get more interest from pharmaceutical

companies to develop new drugs for ALS,” he said. “The

development of new ALS biomarkers is an essential step in

facilitating development of new ALS drugs.”

People with ALS who donate blood and spinal cord fluid

are making a very important contribution to advancing

research on this disease for many years to come, and their

help will support a large number of future ALS studies.

RESEARCH ON GENES THAT CAUSE ALS: A

“GAME CHANGER” IN ALS RESEARCH

One of the most exciting discoveries in the 71 years since

Lou Gehrig died has been the identification of a genetic

mutation that causes ALS and frontotemporal dementia, or

FTD, by a team led by Dr. Rosa Rademakers at the Mayo

last fall. The two disorders are linked.

“There is actually a small piece of DNA that in healthy

people is only repeated two to twenty times, but in patients

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with ALS and FTD, the same piece is now repeated hun-

dreds, even thousands of times,” Rademakers said.

This genetic defect explains a substantial number of pa-

tients with familial FTD and ALS. “More importantly, this

is the only common gene that has been found that clearly

affects both diseases,” Dr. Rademakers said. Why some

patients develop FTD and others ALS, despite carrying

the same genetic defect, remains unknown and will be an

important area of future research.

“This is a game changer in ALS research,” Dr. Boylan said.

According to Dr. Boylan, the discovery of Chromosome 9 is

important for three main reasons:

1. Its Commonness – this mutation is responsible

for more familial forms of ALS than any other known gene

– at least 30 percent of all people with familial ALS.

2. The Effects of the Mutation can Change from

Person to Person – not everyone with this gene will get

ALS. We don’t know why this mutation causes disease in

some carriers and spares others..

3. The Link Between Frontotemporal Dementia

(FTD) and ALS in Some Families - some people with ALS

who had previously been diagnosed with sporadic ALS, in

fact may have had familial ALS. It turns out that ancestors

with FTD in their family (not ALS), passed on the gene.

This gene shows us that the risk of familial ALS is not

solely based on having ALS in the family history, but that

dementia, specifically FTD, can also pose a risk for ALS.

Now that testing for the C9ORF72 expansion is available

as a clinical test, Dr. Boylan cautions people who might

consider having the Chromosome 9 genetic test.

“It is best to have the test performed through a physi-

cian who can interpret the results and refer a patient to a

genetic counselor if necessary,” he said. “There are very

broad implications with testing of this sort

and people should have access to as much

information as possible.”

Each discovery of a new gene linked to

ALS adds to what is known about the

causes of familial and sporadic ALS.

Finding out how a gene mutation leads

to ALS can reveal the changes that take

place in the brain and spinal cord from

the starting point of the disease to late stages when large

numbers of nerve cells have been lost allows scientists

identify potential targets for drugs slow or stop it.

Dr. Boylan explained that an additional component of this

research being done on the brain and spinal cord tissues

donated by deceased ALS patients is critical to finding a

cause, treatment and ultimately a cure for the disease,

because it allows confirmation of what is actually happen-

ing in tissues affected by ALS.

“The discovery of the C9ORF72, “Chromosome 9” gene ex-

pansion by Dr. Rademakers’ group involved DNA prepared

from blood samples from hundreds of local patients, as well

as the brain and spinal cord tissue from deceased patients

who donated their organs to science,” he said. “These

donations, were very important in beginning to understand

how the C9ORF72 mutation leads to ALS.”

And while continuing to made strides in research is a strong

component of their work, Dr. Boylan stressed that funda-

mentally, The ALS Clinic at the Mayo Clinic is dedicated to

providing the best care possible to people with ALS.

“A strong component of the work we do here is to figure

out why people get this disease and how we can treat it,”

he said. “But first and foremost, we want to be a resource

for people with ALS, helping them to live independent lives

despite this diagnosis.”

Much of the research being conducted at The ALS Clinic

at The Mayo Clinic is funded in part by The ALS Associa-

tion Florida Chapter, with donations from people like you.

Please consider making a gift today so that we may keep

the momentum going at Mayo Clinic and other ALS Centers

and Clinics throughout our state.

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k e e p i n g u p w i t h

In a world of 24/7 news cycles and the

immediate availability of information,

it’s getting easier – and yet somehow more

challenging – to keep up with what’s news-

worthy. What sources have the most reliable

information? What’s the best way to keep

up? Facebook and Twitter allow people to

instantaneously access everything from fun,

entertaining tidbits to important, new infor-

mation and everything in between. Follow-

ing are a few valuable, reliable resources to

check, “like,” and “follow” to stay up to date

on ALS research.

The ALS Association Florida Chapter(http://www.alsafl.org/research/) The ALS Association web site research

tab has links to the latest news, upcoming

webinars, and archived items. This is also

the number one spot to check for advocacy

action items – a key part of advancing the

research agenda for ALS.

NEALS Consortium (http://www.alsconsor-tium.org/) The Northeast Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Consortium is a collaborative organization of

ALS research scientists. Check their website

for informative webinars and updates. Also

available through NEALS is a clinical trial

“concierge” to assist interested patients.

ALS Untangled (http://www.alsuntangled.com/) When suspicious emails arrive touting or

warning about something that seems too

strange to be true it’s a good idea to check

ALS RESEARCHa reference web site like

“Snopes” to get the facts.

ALS scientists have cre-

ated a similar resource for

ALS called “ALS Untan-

gled.” If patients come

across purported cures or

treatments for ALS - the facts can be checked

here. The researchers welcome new inquiries

and list ongoing and completed investigations

on the web site.

JHU Packard Center (http://www.alscenter.org/news/newsletter/archive.html) The Robert Packard Center for ALS Research

at Johns Hopkins University has an electronic

newsletter available online. Visit the web site

to discover the numerous ways to subscribe.

DoD CDMRP – ALS (http://cdmrp.army.mil/alsrp/highlights.shtml) The federally-funded Congressionally Directed

Medical Research Program for ALS at the De-

partment of Defense posts highlights of their

research.

Florida Clinical Research Sites:Mayo Clinic – Jacksonville (http://www.mayo-

clinic.org/medicalprofs/monitoring-treating-als.

html)

University of South Florida - Tampa (http://

health.usf.edu/medicine/neurology/als/index.

htm)

University of Miami (http://www.miami-als.org/

research.htm#clinical)

BY PATTI STANCO

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THANK

For making our 2012 Walk to Defeat ALS across Florida a tremendous success!!!!!

TO ALL OUR TEAMS!

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YOU!!!!

For making our 2012 Walk to Defeat ALS across Florida a tremendous success!!!!!

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WALKTHANK YOU FOR STEPPING UP!

2012

presented by Quantum Rehab (A Division of Pride Mobility Products)

Ride AwayJet BlueMobility Express (Sun City Center Location)

Mobility Express (New Port Richey Location)

ADPBrumos Motorcars, Inc.CopytronicsKey Buick-HyundaiSuntrust BankThe Parts HouseSeven Bridges GrillCinemark TheatersAon HewittCSXD&D Garage DoorsEdyth Bush Charitable Foundation

Gray Robinson, P.A.Pink Sneakers ProductionsJames Rudolph, P.A.Orlando ImprovMoe’s Southwest GrillBush & Augspurger P.A.Double Tree Hotel, TallahasseeBoar’s HeadDimensional InsightAuto Mobility SalesC&C InsuranceBig Truck RentalRespicare of South FloridaMagic 102.797.9 WRMF

Thank you to all of our wonderful sponsors!

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WALK

2012 Walk Top Teams:Ft. Myers Virtual:

Hilde’s Herd $9,165

Hilde’s Hair Heard $4,500

Jacksonville:

Team Project 2-4-20 $45,175

Scott-McRae Group Tip’s Trotters $28,509

The Walking Eagles $21,570

Orlando:

Nina’s High Rollers $21,646

Keith’s Crew $12,790

Roger’s Rally $9,768

Palm Beach:

The Penguin Team $32,591

Ade’s Allies $14,385

P’Nut’s Pals $11,755

2012 Walk Top Fundraisers:

Ft. Myers Virtual: Hilde Heard $9,165

Jacksonville: Alecia Jones $44,925

Orlando: Logan Wilemon $9,728

Palm Beach: Harold Greenberg $32,226

Sarasota: Kevin Swan $29,550

South Florida: Linda Aversa $13,043

Tallahassee: Caroline Carswell $9,580

Tampa: Chuck Hummer $16,170

Sarasota:

Swan’s (No Limit) Soldiers $75,489

Pierre’s Pals - Team Juntos $12,155

Hicks Oil Company $11,985

South Florida:

Team Larry Fein $15,022

Team Linda $10,689

Bread Basket $9,321

Tallahassee:

Republican Party of Florida Walk for Dave Bitner $11,076

Stretching Your Life $8,916

Team Jamo $8,675

Tampa:

Miles for Michael $17,828

Team Panama Canal Museum $17,160

Got A Cure? $13,555

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WALK OF HONORNaval Group Honors Local Journalist with ALS

Members of the NAS JAX Second Class Association

and Junior Sailor Committee recently participated in

the Walk to Defeat ALS in Jacksonville, as the first military

team in the history of this event.

Their team, “Anne’s Goal: United States Navy (FRCSE:

Fleet Readiness Center Southeast),” was named for Anne

Johnson, a local journalist with ALS. The team was led

by Team Captain PO O’Neil Smile and Co-Captains Karl

Yeakel and PS2 (SW) Robert Chaney II.

Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS JAX) is the largest

Navy base in the Southeast region and is the 3rd largest

base in the nation. It is a master air and industrial base,

and supports U.S. and allied forces specializing in anti-

submarine warfare and training of the best aviators in the

world.

Johnson, author of four books and a writer with the

Jacksonville Business Journal for many years, has had

ALS since 2010. She became acquainted with the staff

at NASJAX 10 years ago, while working closely with the

Public Affairs Officer, on articles about the base. Former

Commanding Officer at Naval Air Depot JAX (now FRCSE)

remembers one article well.

“Anne wrote a brilliant article right before the war in Iraq,

showcasing the J-52 engine recovery,” he said. “At that

time, Depot staff was working around the clock on this

critical aircraft piece, and she really captured the heart

and soul of the teamwork and dedication that was involved

to get this engine ready for the EA-6B Prowler - a

crucial tactical requirement for the war.”

According to Yeakel, after the article was published,

Johnson gained the respect of everyone at the Depot,

and her dedication to getting the story right was never

forgotten.

He added, “Anne’s writing, time and effort put into

this article really meant a lot to all of us who were

working night and day. She was very supportive of

the tremendous effort we were putting forth and she

became a true friend.”

When Yeakel learned of Anne’s illness, he knew he wanted

to do something to help. He began participating in the

Jacksonville Walk to Defeat ALS, walking for Anne’s

team. Eventually, the Public Affairs department at FRCSE

decided to form a team of their own in honor of the friend

they had known for more than a decade.

FRCSE Team members included: Karl Yeakel, Former Com-

manding Officer Naval Air Depot Jax (now FRCSE); Teresa

White, Public Affairs Officer; Captain Robert Caldwell,

Commanding Officer; John Kimmel, Executive Officer;

Master Chief Shepherd; Master Chief Landsittel; Senior

Chief Rodriguez; Petty Officer O’Neil Smile; and Petty Of-

ficer Robert Chaney. The team hopes to increase participa-

tion next year.

Anne Johnson lost her battle with ALS in June. She was a tremendous advocate for our community and she will be forever missed.

Military veterans, regardless of branch of service, era in which they served, or peace or wartime service, are twice as likely to be diagnosed with ALS. Currently, the connection is unknown.

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WALK OF HONOR My wife Laura and I love going to Disney. All my life, I

have secretly longed to be a Toy Soldier in the Disney

Christmas Parade. At one time, I had even planned to

pursue this “career” post-retirement. One day, in a casual

conversation with one of her friends, Laura revealed my

secret, which resulted in a series of phone calls from

friends to the upper management at Disney.

To my delight, we were given a VIP viewing of the parade

and a meet and greet with some of the soldiers. This

would have been amazing enough, but as we were in our

seats waiting for the parade to begin, we were approached

by a nice lady who introduced herself as the secretary of

the Vice President of the Magic Kingdom. Laura intro-

duced me and our children, Donovan and Nicole. The lady

explained that she understood that I liked the toy soldiers.

Laura shared my story of wanting to be a toy soldier. The

woman said she had never met a toy soldier and that she

would join us after the parade to meet some for herself.

The parade was great as always. When the Toy Soldiers

came by each line turned and saluted me. WOW!

At the end of the parade, when Santa came by, he shout-

ed out. “HO HO HO Merry Christmas. Donovan, I hear you

have been a good boy. Nicole, Merry Christmas.” WOW!!

The look on their faces was priceless. After the parade,

we were met by several high ranking cast members. When

they opened the gate for us to go back we were greeted by

a formation of the entire Toy Soldier cast along with Santa

and the Fairy Godmother. WOW!!! Laura told all of them

my story and then they posed for pictures with us. Then

Mickey and Minnie joined us for more pictures. WOW!!!!

Finally, I was named Special Toy Soldier Leader and the

trumpets played a special rendition of We Wish You a

Merry Christmas. WOW!!!!! It was a magical day! But it

all paled in comparison when my son Donovan said “my

Christmas wish is that my daddy will live forever. “

Then my daughter Nicole posted on her Facebook page

that the best thing in the world was watching her dad’s

dream come true.

I can say with an abundance of thankfulness that I am

truly blessed.

God Bless,

Dave Maynard & family

STORIES THAT INSPIRE US: A CHRISTMAS SURPRISE

Editor’s Note: Dave Maynard passed away on April 25th. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

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Join us for a 62, 25, or 5-mile ride to fight Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Help put the brakes on ALS.

RiDeToDefeATALS.oRG | 11.3.2012

National ALS Advocacy Day and Public Policy ConferenceFlorida Constituents Make Their Voices Heard to Lawmakers

More than 25 Florida delegates attended the 2012 National ALS Advocacy Day and Public Policy Conference in Washing-

ton, DC in May. Thanks to advocacy efforts, the federal government (now the single largest source of ALS research funds)

continues to provide resources to make advances in ALS research possible.

The tireless efforts of pALS, cALS, families, volunteers and staff has resulted in monumental accomplishments.

In total, more than 900 ALS Advocates,

90 people with ALS and 20 military

veterans with ALS showed up in our

nation’s capital. They had one goal: to

urge Congress to step up the fight for a

treatment and cure. That was the scene

at The ALS Association’s 2012 National

ALS Advocacy Day and Public Policy

Conference held in Washington, DC May

13-15.

The empowering three-day event in-

cluded people touched by ALS from all

walks of life and from nearly every state

in the country who joined together in the

nation’s capital to make a difference.

And that’s exactly what they did!

Warren Nelson (Board Chair), Rep. Ted Deutch, Kim Hanna (President) and Tim Cummings (Board Member)

FACTS FORFLORIDA PALS

There are five ALS Centers in Florida: The Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville; ALS multidisci-

plinary Clinic at Shands, Jacksonville; University of South Florida ALS Clinic, Tampa;

Suncoast ALS Clinic, St. Petersburg; and Lee Memorial Health Systems ALS Clinic, Ft.

Myers.

The Florida Chapter has loaner closets throughout the state for medical equipment dur-

ing all stages of ALS.

Planning a vacation? Let the Florida Chapter help you connect with an ALS Association

in your destination state. We may be able to help make your trip more comfortable.

Find a support group in your area and connect with other families living with ALS. Go to

www.alsafl.org.

FloridaChapter

FloridaChapter

FloridaChapter

FloridaChapter

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Join us for a 62, 25, or 5-mile ride to fight Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Help put the brakes on ALS.

RiDeToDefeATALS.oRG | 11.3.2012Saturday, November 3, 2012 | Register Today!www.ridetodefeatals.org

16

Making Positive a Way of LifeA Daughter Determined to Make a Difference for her Mom

Heidi Lehman didn’t see her life going quite this

way. The 33-year-old Speech Pathologist has re-

cently given up her Aventura apartment to move back in

with her parents. The move home wasn’t something that

that any of the Lehman family would have envisioned five

years ago when Heidi’s mom, Penny, began experiencing

symptoms that wouldn’t go away.

Penny Lehman didn’t tell her children that she feared

she had a neurological problem – she didn’t want to

burden them, it wasn’t her style.

“In the beginning, only my dad knew what was going on

with my mom’s health,” Heidi said. “We didn’t find out

until she’d been living with symptoms for quite some

time.”

But eventually, after her diagnosis with ALS, Penny

Lehman knew it was time to talk to her family.

Penny decided early on that she wanted to try alternative

treatments for ALS, including stem cell therapy in Mexico.

But instead of halting the disease’s progression, her daugh-

ter feels the opposite result occurred.

“My mom’s ALS progressed rapidly after she received stem

cells in Mexico,” Heidi said. “She walked into the airport

for that trip with my dad, and six months later she was in a

wheelchair.”

According to Dr. Clifton Gooch, Director of The ALS Clinic

at The University of South Florida, “Patients with ALS natu-

rally seek novel treatments, and sometimes on their own.

There are many different kinds of stem cells, many different

ways to prepare them and many different modes of admin-

istration, any or all of which could make the difference

between benefit and harm,” he said. “Well-designed, sci-

entifically sound clinical trials are the only way to find out

whether a specific stem cell treatment approach will work in

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Making Positive a Way of LifeA Daughter Determined to Make a Difference for her Mom

ALS, and those trials are just now getting underway. “

Penny, a life-long exercise enthusiast, still works out with

a trainer twice a week. But instead of aerobic exercise and

heavy weight training, she now focuses on attempting to

keep her muscles from weakening.

She’s also incorporating holistic healing methods into her

life, including Reiki, distance healing and daily coconut oil

consumption.

“We really think the coconut oil has helped my mom,”

Heidi said. “We add pure virgin coconut oil to her food

every day and she has actually had improvement in her

muscle strength.”

Heidi said that Penny’s trainer mentioned that Penny is

now able to lift her legs much higher than before and her

ability to swallow food seems to be improving.

According to Dr. Gooch, “Maintaining nutrition is one of

the most important things anyone with ALS can do to

maximize muscle health. Good nutrition benefits both

function and survival in ALS, as documented in many

studies. Coconut oil is safe and is a great source of some

of the essential building blocks for muscle and of calories

in general, so it has the potential to improve nutritional

balance and benefit muscle health,” he said. “A recent

comprehensive analysis of the published world research on

coconut oil by the Johns Hopkins group did not find ab-

solute proof that it helped ALS patients, but did find that

some of the properties of coconut oil had potential.”

And, coconut oil is relatively inexpensive and fairly free

from side effects. The most common side effect Johns

Hopkins researchers found was diarrhea. Considering that

most ALS patients struggle with constipation, this may be

a somewhat welcome side effect, they concluded.

Heidi says she is her mother’s “cheerleader,” keeping her

attitude positive and making sure that her lifestyle remains

as normal as possible.

“We go out to dinner every Friday and Saturday night with

old friends,” Heidi said. “My mom enjoys getting out and

we want her to retain as much of the joy from her pre-ALS

life as possible.”

Heidi adds that her mother has a very positive spirit, which

is in line with the holistic treatment methods the family

has embraced. The focus these days is on maintaining

Penny’s quality of life.

Heidi and her family have participated in the South Florida

Walk to Defeat ALS for many years. Three years ago, she

learned about The Ride to Defeat ALS.

“I hadn’t been on a bike in more than five years,” she said.

“But I knew it was something I wanted to do.”

Heidi signed up for the Ride and began fundraising. This

will be her third year as a 25 Mile Challenge rider.

“I ride for my mom, but also for all the other people with

ALS,” Heidi said. “We desperately need to drive more mon-

ey into research – it’s the only way a cure will be found.”

Heidi realizes as well, that her mom is more fortunate than

many people struggling with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

“We can afford many costly things that my mom needs,”

she said. “But we know not everyone has that ability. The

Ride helps people in Florida get the care and the equip-

ment they need to maintain quality of life.”

And so, in November, Heidi will once again make the drive

to Florida’s west coast, to ride for her mom and for the

hope that someday a cure will be found.

To sign up for The Ride to Defeat ALS, go to

www.ridetodefeatals.org.

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Gifts to The ALS Association Florida ChapterWe would like to thank our generous donors for their support. These contributions help us provide vital patient services, programs, and fund worldwide research.

MEMORIAL GIFTS Gifts made in memory of a friend

or loved one. Gifts made between

1/1/12-6/30/12.

Richard Anderson - Trudy Harris,John Keys, Lori Schwab and Bill McCullumRobert Arntsen - Scott Arntsen given through Give With Liberty Employee DonationsLarry Ballowe - Andrew ClarkeGordon Beckwith - Wilbur BeltRaymond Bell - Nancy Bell given through the Raymond J. Bell Memo-rial Fund at Fidelity Charitable Gift FundEmory Berman - H. Virginia Crane,Dr. Jill Gluskin, Caren Kowalksy and the Lady Birds of On Top of the WorldJanice Pero, Adella and Sidney Sher-manHoward Berntsen - Roger Payne,Shorecrest Preparatory School,Tepper, Tepper & Koprowski, CPAs, PCNorene Bini - Eugene KeeslerNancy Bound - Ed BoundRussell Brandi - Josephine Brandi given through the Give With Liberty Employee DonationsLinda Bridges - United Stationers Charitable FoundationAsa Brown - Catherine Corcoran given through the Johnson & Johnson Matching Gifts ProgramStephanie Bunton - Rodney and Rose Ann Bartholomew, Sheryl Ebeoglu,Sara Morrison, Dr. Ramesh Narang,Trudy Simmons, Laura StukbauerJohn Burgio - Loretta KowalskiRobert Burton - Gail SevestreKathleen Cannistra - Michael and Kathleen MartellaPeter Carr - Lenore Brozik, Fanny ToviCharles Carter - Terry Bass, J. William and Nancy Blanford, Ann Dziadon,Jeffrey Gott, Belinda Hartwell, Marvin and Gertrude King, Richard Robert-son, Doris Talley, Jennifer Vedral-Baron, Kirk and Midori YoungGene Clarke - Ronald and Pauline HubertHobart Cockreham - Bruce and Heather Cohen, Beverly MosesFlorence Cohen - Joyce Onorato

AbamontManny Cohen - Faye Quigley, The Newmark Family TrustDavid Colquett - Joey and Connie ColquettAlphonse Condon - H.B. and Sally HornerCarolyn Corlew - Russ & Betty Burgette,Thomas and Carol Collison,Mary Coyro, Phyllis Dodge, Mary Greer, JoAnn Gromlus, Terry and Judy Klein, Chuck & Claire Lynch, Marylu Marshall, Patrick and Carolyn McKe-own, Sue and Wally Muscott, Bill & Pam Peter, Teri Rathgeb, Barbara Samford, Ruth Shipp, Arden & Sandy Spitzer, Judy Stahl,Terry Wynter Auto Service Center, Inc., John & Linda VredenburgBarbara Cummings - Chip CummingsDon Curts - Robert ParksFaustino Davila Pabon - Modesto DonatoJohn D’Estrada - Xcel Energy Founda-tion Matching ProgramGloria Dougherty - Charles DoughertyCondit Dow - Paul and Caroline Desoye, John and Concetta Hugen-berg, Deno and Elizabeth Marino,David and Linda Packard, Gary Scara-foni, Susan and Mac SmithPriscilla Duis - Sherry MurrayDon Edgerly - Paul Bruno, Fort Lawn Loopers, Frederick and Mildred Kae-ser, Russell and Patricia Lovaas,Megson & Heagle, Betty Overholt,Cheryl Renton-Lange, Thomas and Dianne Sayers, Uriel Lodge #24,Roy and Cynthia WittichRoss Edward - Marilyn WineRobert Edwards - Georgia EdwardsMel Einhorn - Lester and Eleanor EinhornLynn Ferguson - June RasmussenAudry Flamberg - Dr. Howard and Hilary PasekoffSara Flores - Sarah DionBill Galasso - Bob BentertMary Gessells - Bruce and Shelly Albury, Denice Alles, William BaileyCarolyn and James Batwinis,Cathedral Parish, Michael Davis,Nina Davis, Dr. Jack and Sue Gid-dings, Ira Greil, Marylou Harris,William and Irene Heath, Drs. R. Duane and Nancy Holland, William and Valerie Kline, Dianne Krueger,

Mary Lotshaw, Eileen Lovensheimer,Barbara MacWilkinson, Patricia McDonnell, Michael and Estelle McK-enzie, Mary Ann Moone, Sallie Mudd,Alice O’Connor, Edward and Trina O’Dell, Michael O’Dell, Janice Pa-perny, Ray Glass Batteries, Inc.,Mary Jo Schuer, Kimberly Shacklock,Julie Skeen, Silvia Stevens, The Browning Agency of Ponte Vedra, J. Eugene and Martha Watson, William YoungNorma Gonzalez - Ronald DarrigoThomas Gorman - Gwendolyn HaertlingMichael Govostes - Juanita BeidelmanDr. Paul Goyette - Michael and Edith Campbell, David and Joy Chartier,Don and Leona Collins, Gerard and Celinda Corbeil, Carmine and Susan DeStefano, Ellington High School Cheer Fund,Timothy and Alma Falvey,Duane and Kathy Frederick, Lizabeth Gentry, Elise Goyette, Tina Grab, Lenore Gudmundson, Frank Jones,Joseph and Claire Langevin, Maureen McDonough, Pat Phillips, Ronald and Joanne Poludniak,Mary Pope, John and Patricia Van DeusenJohn Gross - Beth FromerWilliam Gulmy - Vaughn and Jeanne Cornele, Marvin DeArmon, David Fee,Roger and Dee Hicks, Susan and Terry KrinnMartha Halling - Crystal, Mariah & Reece GilbertLois Hartog - Dorothy OzaroffRichard Hellstrom - Anna Donovan,Ted and Van Marie Haburn given through Alexandra Hellstrom, Mary Jo Miller, Amelia WilliamsRichard Hickman - Calvin and Mer-cedes Bagley, Helen Beeler, Janice Bennafield, Liliam Betancourt, Mark Callahan,Norman and Mary Chastain,Denise Coburn, Cynthia Cox, Charles and Dorothy Curry, Morris and Paula Grover, Glenn and Carole Hooper,Carolyn Jones, Jean Leone, Ken-neth Licata, Amanda Maynor, Robert Mitchell & Catherine Devanney,William Mitchell, Sandy and Arlen Mohler, Paddy Moses, Jean Palermo,Brian and Bethel Poe, Lauren SegersGeorge and Ann Smith, John and Martha Thorington, David Tracy & Janeen Trevillyan, Tish Wold

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Gifts to The ALS Association Florida Chapter Carole Howard - Deborah Mirabello given through Highland Capital PartnersMarianela Iza-Rodriguez - Damaso RodriguezDoug Jacobs - Roberta BerglundMoe Jacobson - Joseph and Linda Aversa, Dr. Paul and Eileen SwayeAnne Johnson - Rita Friedman, Sherry Murray, Patricia WilliamsCharles Johnson - Joy KageleKeith Jones - Janice Jones, Kris HarwellJames Kay - Diane KayLeonard Kliegman - Lillian KliegmanMarilyn Kupperman - Owen and Barbara Anchell, Atwill, LLC, Naomie Bossen, Spence and Nancy Edwards,Judith Greenfield, Stanley and Sharon Kantor, Langley & Rust, PA,Sherry Murray,Bernard and Ruth Nachman,Herbert and Rose Plotkin, Phyl-lis Portnoy, Rochelle Shainbrown, Mark and Bryna Singerman & Libbye Gordon, George, Phyllis & Ross Strumlauf, Fuller and Judith Tresca, Dr. Allison Vitsky, Sandra WeissRussell Lathrope - Carl and Emily Boroughs, Jack Cook, Nita Denton, KBB, LLC, John PilnyKathleen LeBarron - Nelson LeBarronSusan Lebo - Carol TrescaLee Lieb - Henry and Gail SquiresHarry Lillard - Bernard and Clara GiancolaDaniel Lipman - Sheila LipmanNeil Loftus - Patricia and Jeffrey KrawsJulie Lusson - Leslyn RigoniDerrick Maddox - Assurant Founda-tion Matching GiftsLee Malmon - Naomi BermanRobert Martini - Debbie MartiniJohn Masciantoni - Joseph and Renee De Lengyel, Margo Masciantoni, John Pendergast, Bob and Maureen Tummillo, Gloria WheatWilliam Maybrook - Samuel NaglerDavid Maynard - Norma Maynard,Janet SingletonTerrence McMullen - Cooper and Joyce Agent, Stephen and Gayle Banks, Donald and LaVonne Black-burn, Ben and Lisa Bradburn, Larrie and Gretchen Calvert, M. Christine Cooke, Thomas and Sally Daly, Gerald and Polly Dirvin,Sandy and Mike Fo-cht, Bonnie Ford, Raymond and Ruth Handel, Robert and Dorothy Hood,Marjorie Horner, Chauncey and Patricia Kennedy, Jean Lusted, Grace McMullen, Jacqueline Orth, Robert and Theresa Regan, C. Frederick and

Sharon Rolle, Ray and Jan Ross,Karen Rothberg, Eugene and Marilyn Schutt, Norman and Burdell Sher-man, Glenn and Charon Sisler, Jack and Suzanne Sullivan,Wendy Wise,Thomas and Valerie WrightBarbara Medina - Bernardo and Alicia DiazMatthew Medlin - Spencer and Carol DavisTammy Monty - Caroline RileyMark Moore - Arlene SpeakmanVincent Morelli - Earl and Sherry BarrettPhyllis Mund - Blanche Erickson,Susan Frisby, Dorothy Hartman,Kenneth and Charlotte Hoekstra,Lake Worth Men’s Golf Association,Joyce Newton, Roger and Debra Pat-terson, Joseph and Dale Salimeno,John and Joan Thomas, Betty WhiteGuillermo Munoz - Elizabeth HigginsHerman Nystrom - Hannah AtkinsRita Ovadia - Abe OvadiaRichard Pascarella - Linda PetersJonathan Plaut - Bonnie UryKittyann Pozo - Miriam BlankenshipRobert Ray - Danielle FlennikenDeborah Renney - David SelznickDavid Robertson - Joseph WeberRobert Routh - Rebecca RouthSidney Rovner - Gwendolyn RovnerSheila Rubin - Renee Barson, Martin and Estelle Baum, Beulah Bishop,Alice Cohen, Gilbert and Beverly Co-hen, Leonard and Selma Elterman,Bryna Friedman Cohen, Bruce and Lynn King, Rosa Maria Mancilla de Ramirez, Yetta Parker, Ronald and Jacqueline Reckseit, Jerry and Clarice Somerdin, Surfin’ Seniors, Howard and Linda Topper, Aaron and Bernice Weisgrau, Jerome and Florence ZalesNeil Rudin - Julia Atlas, Cheryl RudinMargaret Ruggeri - Boca Raton Re-gional Hospital, Elaine ReeseReinerio Sanchez - Gisela SanchezHarold Sanders - Jennifer SandersElaine Sevin - Patricia StronginJudith Shaller - Linda SpaldingSidney Sherman - Naomi BermanDae Sun Shin - Jung In KangCarole Siewert - William and Ursel HendricksRonnie Spurgeon - Lola SpurgeonEva Stephens - Pamela Lewis, Samuel Stephens, Janice ThomasJack Stevens - Dr. Paul and Eileen SwayeRobert Strandberg - John and Louise Dembrowsky, Stephen Harsanyi & Elaine EmslieKen Study - Annie Fetzer,

Georgetta Jones, Jon and Carolyn Study, Mary Study, Jon and Carolyn StudyDr. Terry Tippin - Billye WallaceLeRoy Tual - Martha TualGerald Turianski - Marie TurianskiLee Ann Turtletaub - Kevin Avent,Carol Berman, Andrea Berman,Naomi Berman, Craig BrownHelmut Van der Sanden - Brasota Dutch Society, James Deckert, L. Farrell, Mark and Tracy Fjeldal, Tom and Nancy Flanagan, Linda and Ron Garvin, Brian and Susan Jackson,Maxwell Jonah, Joy and Frank Kagele,William and Maggie Meentemeyer,Linda Moody, Alan Nance, Michael Bell and Terra Pryer-Bell, Douglas Rice,Suzanne Rosenbaum, Julie Rosen-krantz, Lucille Smith, Thomas Smith,Debra Torine, Anton Van der Sanden,Jeanne Van der Sanden, Marjorie WhaleyPhilip Walzak - Jamie Alderks, Julie Archibald, John and Nadine Baldetti,Robert and Betty Clark, Jim and Angela Deitch, Marilyn Handler, Keith McCoy, Leah and Deanna McGrath,Herbert Olujic,The Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary Foundation, Inc.,Cindy Walzak, Jennifer and Tom Weisz, Jennifer WilliamsJohn Warner - Eric and Barbara Batty,Brauer Family Trust, Flora Gray,Audey Heicklen, James and Mary McEntee, Robert and Debra PetersRoger Wilemon - Carol and Ken-neth Blackburn, Duggan, Joiner & Company, PA, Linda Fulford, James and Nancy Gaston, Sue and Claude Grubbs, Interface Tax/Management Systems, Inc., Jerry’s Pawn and Gun Shop, Inc., Marion and Danny Met-calf, Miller’s Boating Center, Inc.,Ocala Insurance, Inc., Smokey’s Pump Service & Well Drilling, Inc.,Southern Blade & Supply, Emma Wilemon, Willine and Jesse Ray YarbroughBruce Wilkinson - Elia WilkinsonKaren Wilson - Brenda and Richard MizaninShirlee Wiseman - Robert and Jean Fortier, Darrell and Joan Jarvis, Peggy ScheidkerSusan Woodka - Denis WoodkaRichard Zumwalde - Robert Zum-walde

20

RIDE TO DEFEAT ALS & WALK TO DEFEAT ALS GIFTSRide and Walk gifts of $250 or more made between 1/1/12-6/30/12.

230 FifthA. & J. Mobility Inc. dba Mobility ExpressMarci AbbrechtAbility Medical Supply, Inc.Action Bolt and Tool Co.Dr. Harold AdelmanAnthony AginEdward AginKevin AhrensAIG Matching Grants ProgramAlabama Deli Provisions Inc.Albritton Insurance Ser-vices LLCJeanette AlexanderAll American Air Charitable FoundationAll American Air Condition-ing & HeatingLaura Allen-TummonDr. Philip AltusAlberto AmaranteMichael AmburgyAmerican Postal Workers UnionAmeriprise Financial Advi-sor Gift Matching ProgramAMI MobilityAndy Frain ServicesPeter AntonacciBecky ArmbrusterAtrium Wallcoverings, Inc.Joseph AtterburyCarolyn AugerMatt AukerLinda AversaAxis Global Systems, LLCB.A. Roberts, Inc.B.P.O.E. St Pete 1224, Inc.Steven BaadePhillip BabbittTheodore BabbittPaul BaertschHerbert BaileyKai BaileySylvia BaileyBailey Chestnut PartnersThomas BakerHarry BakkerBank of America Matching GiftsBaptist Health South FloridaColleen BarloJames BarnesMary BarnesBarnes Drug StoresRichard BaroneKevin BarryStanley BarrySean BarthDavid BartkowskiDave BauerWilliam BeckerTara BediJennifer BeerliJack BeldonDonna BergquistMichael BergquistDr. Roger BertholfDavid BeshearsMichael BirnbaumBishop Moore High School

Jennifer BlackburnBlessed Trinity Catholic ChurchJuanita BlumbergBoar’s Head ProvisionsZak BocaTonnie BognarBolles SchoolBono’s At JTB, Inc.Paul BoulayAshraf BoutrosKevin Boylan, MDJulie BrackenBrian BregeJanet BremanBreuer Investment Consul-tants Inc.Robert BriggsBright HouseCatherine BrintonAmanda BrownAshley BrownBradley BrownDennis BruceBrumos Motor Cars, Inc.John BucklesChad BuckmasterKayla BurgoldtSheril BurkhartDavid BurnsLaurie BurnsMichelle BurrellBush & Augspurger, P.A.Clayton ButlerJody ByersC & C Insurance, Inc.CA Technologies Matching Gifts ProgramBrett CaldwellCalifornia Pizza Kitchen, Inc.Linda CampAlonzo CampilloCarl CannovaCapstone Consulting, Inc.Dr. Damian CaraballoMarkella CarneySandra CarsonGail CastellanoJ. CavanaughNatasha ChahalDianne ChalmersGregory Chapman, DOSharon ChapmanSuzanne ChartierChevron Humankind Match-ing Gift ProgramMichael ChurchCNA FoundationCoach Matching Gift ProgramKevin CoatesDenise CollRonald CollierRay ColomboThe John and Ultima Morgan Foundation Donor Advised Fund given through the Community Foundation of Central Florida, Inc.Joseph ConnerContinental Freight For-warding, Inc.Jack CookN. Perry Cook

Copytronics Information SystemsRon CorbettCorrosion Control, Inc.Costco WholesaleHarry CotrosLeonard CottrellTom CoughlinErwin CoynerCPF Investment Group, LLCCraftworks FoundationJuliana CrawfordSherri CrichtonWilliam CromieDavid CrowPatricia CrytserThomas CrytserBetty CummingsTim CummingsCollette CunninghamPeter CuppsRonald CurleyJeff CurryJennifer CurtsDaniel CushmanDonald CutchinsD & D Garage DoorsSteven DaiagiJohn D’AmicoRobert DanielData Targeting, Inc.David DevelopmentMartha De CaussinEdward DeBartoloCam DeiterCarmen DemosPenny DetscherKristin DetwilerAna DiazMonica Digilio-LeeMark DillonDenise DiMareMarielee DiMareNatalie DiMarePaul DiMareSalvator DiMareThomas DiMareTony DiMareDimensional InsightDirect Air Service, Inc.Lynn DomenechLorna DonatoneDave DooleyDenise DorobkowskiAlise DoudakianCarol DoverAnn DruyanPauline DubinMichael DuBowClifford DudleyDr. Scott DugasDurham & Rizzi, P.C.Donald DwaresEagle Pools, Inc.Joy EberEconomy Garage Doors Inc.Margaret EdmistonDr. Charles EdwardsShirley EdwardsEdyth Bush Charitable Foundation Inc.Cindy EganWilliam EllrichMitch ElmerWendy ElstonMichael EmmonsDonna EppsMichael ErnstChristopher EvansExcavation Point, Inc.Elsa FallsStacey FanningAmanda FavisDr. Denise FedererJulie Felts

Joseph FicarrottaAlan FicklingJohn and Ramona Weaver given through Fidelity Charitable Gift FundSusan Filskov, PhDApril FinkelsteinKatherine FioreFirst Choice Credit UnionDavid FisherJames FitzpatrickFJS Inc.Michael Flannery, MDLaura FleetDavid FloranceFlorida Capital BankFlorida Crystals Corp.Florida Osteopathic Medical AssociationFlorida Swimming Pool As-sociation N. E. Fla. ChapterArnold FogelmanJames FordSamuel FortuneElbert FosterRonald FosterStephen FosterAdrienne FournierDr. Arthur FournierDr. Suzanne FournierKeith FoxAlfred FriedmanSanford FriedmanFritzi and Herbert Owens Family FoundationBrian FulwiderH. GaineyMelvin GaleJohn GammichiaDr. Roberto GarciaWilliam Gardner1st Place Sports given through Gate River RunDan GearyDiarmuid GearyTadhg GearyGeneral Labor Staffing Services, Inc.Germantown Realty Invest-ment GroupBarbara GilbertMike GilliganPaul GlassburnMaryJane Glover-DoddsBetty GoldenbergBruce GoldenbergLex GoldenbergElina GolovkoFrancine GonopolskyDr. Michael GordonLaura GorgusGosport United Methodist ChurchRhonda GrableAmy GracelyAlex GrahamCheree and Hampton GrahamDiane GrahamLee GrahamKaren GrayLeslie GrayMark GrayGrayRobinsonGray’s Auction ServiceMary Lisa GredlerBarbara GreenJennifer GreenHarold GreenbergMichael GreenbergSharon GreenbergJohn GreenleafMandy GreggDr. Karen Gross

Jeffrey GrossmanNormand GuindonJohn GunlogsonJulius GuttmanScott HabermehlMike HaganSteven HagibesJeff HamrickKim A. HannaHardee Petroleum Com-pany, LLCHargreen Enterprises, LLLPTim HarleyBetty HarlingLynn HarrisSandra HarrisHarris RebarSusan HartMishele Hart LambertAlan HastyO. HawkinsHillary HayesJamie HayesFred HazouriHilde HeardHeartland Real Estate CorporationTiffany HechtLiselotte HeiligensteinBilly HellerNancy HennesseyJames HenningPat HenningerCatherine HenrySteve HermanPatrik HerweckCharles and Phyllis HeywoodClyde HicksChristopher HinesWilliam HoatsonSteve HochmanDavid HodgesDr. Zach HodginsHomes of Wauchula, Inc.Raymond HopkinsJames HopwoodDr. Elizabeth HosickChris HowlettBernadette HudakKerri HudginsJohnny HughesGreta HummerPeter HurleyAna HuskTeresa HutchingsJames HutchinsMichael IdeMatthew ImfeldIn Touch Logistics Services, Inc.Teresa IngramIrish 31Iron Order MC TBCStephen IrwinPerry IsenbergJames JacobsRobert JenningsJerry’s Cash AdvanceJet Harbor Inc.Jim See Realty, Inc.Nicole JimenezJoe L. Davis, Inc.Barbara JohnsonMichelle JohnsonFrancis JohnstonAlecia JonesThomas JonesJane Jones-NorrisBonnie JordanRobert JoyceJP Morgan Chase Matching Gift and Volunteer Prog.Ann Jurmain

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Just Management Corp.Robert KaplanKieffer KarimCatherine KayserHollis KeeneThomas KelseyKEVCO Builders, Inc.Key Buick-HyundaiJeremy KielCarl KilhofferJulie KimeLaura KingSam KingDonna KinlinMeryl KirschenbergKiwanis Club of Wauchula, Inc.Aviva KleinStan KnottTim KonigKraft Foods Foundation Matching Gifts ProgramAndre KrasemannGary KriegerLeonard KulickBruce KumnickTodd KumnickThomas KurinskyThomas KurzLakewood Presbyterian ChurchMichael LamSteven LamanChris LambertNancy LambertArthur LaMontagneFern LampertMark LandrethLaw Office of Daniel A. Mowrey, LLCMelvin LazarBarbara LeeDr. Peter LemieuxKristina LenzDr. Theodore LernerBeth LewisRenee LewisLewy Family FoundationEvelynn LivingstonLockey, Fox, Ledford & Glaum, MDs, PALucinda LonerganWilliam LowmanLyndan, Inc.Leonidas MacedoHarvey MacklerSusan MaderaPaul MaechtleMagicBuz Inc.Jerry MahoneyAndrew MalcolmPhoebe MandersPatrick ManeyJohn ManisLynn ManlySyeed MansurMaria MargenotCarol MargolisMarino PerformanceOddrun MarroneJosh MartinoOrion MarxMassey ServicesRonald MattinoStephen MattmanMax and Ruth Oltarsh Foundation Inc.Wayne MayMayo Clinic JacksonvilleElise McCabeKaren McClaflinFrank McClendonBarbara McClureLauren McCrystal

Kathy McDiarmidDemitrius McHughMcMaster Family Founda-tionVickie McPhersonElizabeth McRaeMarcia MederosAdam MeinrodDr. Elizabeth MelzerMercedes-Benz of GainesvilleWilliam and Linda Young given through Merrill LynchDr. Carolyn MerryAndrew MessinaEdward MeyersLisa MidgettHarriett MillerLeslie MillerMark MillerMatt MillerMike MillerRobert MillerDr. Todd MillerWanda MillerJohn MingusSurachita MishraKrystal MitchellMobility ExpressAllen MoczulAnand MohabirChristina MonetteVera MonicaAzilee MonroeMary MooneyLiz MooreWanda MoranAntonio MorenoClausen MorrellThomas MorrisMorris & Reynolds Insur-anceMarianne MorrissetteDaniel MoserWilliam MotleyLarry MottAndrew MuellerNancy MuellerRosalyn MullaneyKevin MullerRalph MullerAlan MulveyJames Murphy Jr.Edward MurrayLee Ann MurrayRoderick MurraySherry MurrayKaren MuscavageMYCOR Holdings LLCVincente NarvaezRick NassauNational WallcoveringDavid NelsonKurt NelsonSamuel NelsonWarren NelsonJerald NewberryNewman Family Founda-tion, Inc.Joan NewtonBarbara NicklausDr. Nina NjusNorth Central Florida Area Local APWUNaomi NovotnyNPC International, Inc.Jennifer O’BrienThomas O’BrienOcean Conversions & Mobility, Inc.Joy OchoaKieran O’ConnorArthur O’DonnellMichael O’Donnell

Terry O’DonnellJoan OklevitchKelly OlitskyJim O’MalleyJohn O’NeilHarry OrensteinJoseph OsborneOSI Restaurant Partners, LLCPatricia OttenScott OwensTony PackSharon PamplinAdrian PaoliniJacqueline PappasAmerican Postal Workers Union of Florida given through Jeffrey PearlmanAmerican Postal Workers Union Tallahassee Local 1519 given through Jeffrey PearlmanDick PeddicordO.J. PerrymanWendi PetersonDr. Paula PettavinoRobert PicardAndrew PinesPink Sneakers Produc-tions, Inc.Sandra PlanteMartha PlesherWray PlogherJason PlourdeEmory PotterDavid PriceTodd PritchardProtano and Sons, Inc.James PurcellAmy RawlsDerrick ReebyBarbara ReedMargaret and Norman ReedSonny ReedMichael ReganRekcut Photographic, Inc.James Schauweker Memo-rial Fund given through the Renaissance Charitable Foundation Inc.RespiCare of Central FloridaRespicare of South FloridaRobert ReynoldsCharles RibakoffLacie RiceDonna RichardsLinda RichelewRide-AwayLoren RidingerRoadie LifeJames RobertsRiley Roca-KuriRock by the Sea, Inc.Aida RodriguezLisa RomanAlyssa RomanoDr. Frederick RomanoAlan RosenbergRoss A. Hendry, DVMGregory RothfeldtTod RoyRosalind RoystoneJames Rudolph, PAMarlene RuschRyder System Charitable Foundation, Inc.MaryLou SaksLanie SalebraSteven SalinoDennis SalmonSam Pack’s Five Star FordVijay SampathBetty J. Sanders

Diane SandersRobert SappGail SchaumannDavid SchawkPaul ScottKaren SederDaryl ShackelfordTapan ShahMichael SheflinJeffrey SheridanPaula ShieldsVirginia ShieldsSilver Lake Resort LTDDonna SimmonsSamuel SinghVijai SinghSkanska USA BuildingJohn SkellyLouis SkinnerS.F. SlaughterTim SleethAnn SmedbergAllan SmithDavid SmithJill SmithDylan SnyderJohn SolariKenneth SolerStephanie SolerEdwin SolomonSomatic Synergy, Inc.SOS Global Express, Inc.Southeast Industrial Sales & Service, Inc.Kenneth SpitlerSSS Investments of Jack-sonvilleSt. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Four Star AssocSt. Margaret Mary ChurchMary StackShirley StallingsMichael StambaughRandy StantonStar Farms Corp.Rob SteersMartin SteinSamuel StephensSarah StephensLauren SterlacciJoshua StevensonBen Stiller and Christine Taylor StillerSidney StubbsJames StyringSuburban Automotive ConsultantsDr. Daniel SullivanHelen SullivanKevin SullivanDr. William SullivanJeanne-Mey SunSunTrust Bank - Jack-sonvilleRoberta SwanBarry SwitzerSysco CorporationTroy TarboxMark TarterTelecomPioneers Florida Chapter #39The Charles Evans Founda-tionThe Geo Group Founda-tion, Inc.The J.M. Rubin FoundationThe Murray and Nadine Ru-bin Charitable FoundationThe Parts HouseThe Regency Group, Inc.The Stellar Foundation, Inc.The Winston Family Foundation

Deborah ThomsonShasanka ThumuThun Family Foundation, Inc.Thylan Associates, Inc.Shannon ToledoAudrey TormeySandra TorresDimitri ToumazosToys “R” Us Matching GiftsTrans-Global Products, Inc.Vera TraynerDeborah TrentTrinity Fellowship Inc.Triple S Mobility, Inc.Rocelia TrombleyWilliam TurnerUnited Seating & MobilityMark Bailey given through the United Way of St. John’s County, Inc.Valentine Capital Asset Management, Inc.Sigrid Van EckDenise Van VoorhisMichelle VanceHenry VarnellDebra VasilopoulosVerizon FoundationRoshnee VermaKen VernerVITAS Innovative HospiceVitas Innovative Hospice CareCarol VonarburgTuan Vu, MDJanice VucinichWabasso Road Dairy, Inc.Michael WaggonerPaul WagnerDr. Robert WalkerMarty WalrathAnne and Graham WarnerDena WarnerPatricia WashingtonJerry WatersTerry WatkinsWauchula Abstract & Title Co., Inc.Wauchula Lions Club, Inc.James WebbLynn WeinsteinRichard WeisingerBeth WeissScott WeltyCassie WhippleMark WhitleyJacqueline WhitneyKathy WhittingtonRobert WhorfBill WidmannBrent WilderVeralene WilemonAnnette WilesJames WilliamsMatt WilliamsWinning the Fight, Inc.Winter Park Health Founda-tion, Inc.George WinterlingGretchen WolfJamie WolsfeltAlan WoltzJohn WrightChristy XynidisBonnie Zamosky-RothMichael ZaroniasRobert Zumbado

22

GENERAL GIFTSGifts of $250 or more, made

between 1/1/12-6/30/12.

Donald AllebachAlpha Delta Pi FoundationJoanne Gonseski given through the AT&T Employee Giving CampaignDiane BrutonEstate of Peter ChurchillCITGO Petroleum CorporationCitizens Charitable FoundationThe David C.G. Kerr Memorial Fund at The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, Inc.

Community Health Charities of Florida, Inc.Copperhead Charities dba Transitions ChampionshipCSX Corporate CitizenshipD’Agostino FoundationDoctors Neurological Services of Ft. Lauderdale, Inc.Linda FergusonFNBRGlenn Anderson Memorial Golf TournamentJennifer’s Designer ExchangeMacy’s FoundationSteven and Jodee MartinJames Murphy, Jr.

Vincente NarvaezNational Alliance for CaregivingWarren and Carol NelsonPremier Beverage CompanyRissman, Barrett, Hurt, Donahue & McLain, P.A.Safeco InsuranceTerry SingerJoan SmithSouthern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.Stella ThayerUnited Way of Palm Beach CountyBrian Connolly through The United Way of Rhode IslandJennifer Williams

In Honor of Sarah AdamsEstelle Croft

In Honor of Roland BooneBarbara Boone

In Honor of Stephanie Bunton Francis ReidyRobert Worthy

In Honor of Dan Ellis A True Story Production, LLCJoni Petersen given through the Arnold Palmer Invitational

In Honor of Steven Franks Linda Whitmer

In Honor of Chuck Hummer Vilma Turner

In Honor of Arthur Hutchins Richard Hutchins

In Honor of Amy James John and Wanda McConnell

In Honor of Keith James John and Wanda McConnell

In Honor of Maddox Kuhn Ashley Smith

In Honor of Dr. William Luke Paul Stanton

In Honor of John Masciantoni Matt Juvinall given through JustGive

In Honor of Patricia Masciantni Matt Juvinall given through JustGive

In Honor of David Maynard Suzanne Hogan

In Honor of Paul McGuckin Naomi Berman

In Honor of Julie Mercer James Mercer

In Honor of Johnny Mingus Ann Sheets

In Honor of Pierre Morrissette Bill Rowell

In Honor of Don Morrow Raymond and Vivian Byrne

In Honor of Edward Pollick Jerry AcetoLeni BattagliaCecelia ButterworthJohn CommorotoBeverly CowheyJanet DemarcoJohn FerraiuoloDale GerringJanice GundersenJo Ann GurianKathleen HalpinCamille IntrocasoPatricia LaPentaDeanna MenoldAlvin PowlisJudith Proulx

HONOR GIFTSGifts made in honor of a friend, loved one, special occasion or event between 1/1/12-6/30/12.

Christine Ritondaro

In Honor of Selig Salkowitz Naomi Berman

In Honor of Susan Shallbetter William Shallbetter

In Honor of Michael Sukennikoff Allan and Kathryn Evans

In Honor of Jared Tafeen Stephen Rudy

In Honor of Stacy Tafeen Stephen Rudy

In Honor of Terry Wade Catherine Beckford given through New York Life Giving Campaign

In Honor of Betty Weinstein Naomi Berman

In Honor of David Weinstein Naomi Berman

In Honor of Jillian Weinstein Naomi Berman

In Honor of Mary Wilson Steven Wilson

Every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of each gift and each name. If we have made an error, please accept our apology and let us know by contacting Gabby Harrison at gharrison@alsafl.org.

23

In MemoryWe extend our sympathy and continued support to the family and friends who have recently lost their loved ones to ALS. We remember their courage in living and keep their spirits alive in our memories and hearts. Descedents from 1/1/12 - 6/30/12.

Richard AndersonPaul AntoniniHoward BerntsenPatricia BrennanJean BriggsSteven BrodskyDavid BurtonVincent CandelaGrace CarrPeter CarrCharles Carter, Jr.John ChavoenGene ClarkeJohn CollinsDallas ConnerCarolyn CorlewWilliam DellCondit DowPriscilla DuisDon EdgerlyDan EllisMartha ElmoreOllie EvansJohn FlavanEugene Ford, Sr.Mary GessellsJames GlenneyJohn GoforthJanice GoldiDr. Paul GoyetteRaymond GreenleeNancy GroszWilliam GulmyMartha HallingLois HartogDoris HennemanArcangel HernandezRichard Hoffman

Ron HorcherFloyd HurstNathaniel HynsonGeorge Irwin, Jr.Francis JacobsAnne JohnsonCynthia KecklerElwood KlemanMarilyn KuppermanRussell LathropeSusan LeboLeslie LedermanBonnie LindseyVincent LovettJulie LussonEthyl MartinJohn MasciantoniWilliam MaybrookDavid MaynardMary McDoleColin McLernonTerrence McMullenBarbara MedinaMargo MeltonPhilip MittenMark MooreBeryletta MorganZoreh Moshir, PhDTom MuesselPhyllis MundRidge NyeMargaret O’TooleThomas OwensHalsey PerdueElijah Peterson, Jr.Harold PiperMary PolanecKittyann Pozo

Albert PruettRobert RayGeraldine RichmondRhodena RobinsonRonald RobitailleSheila RubinJames SantellaJohnnie SeveranceJudith ShallerCarole SiewertDanice SmithAndrew StruharWayne SynstadHelmut Van der SandenKaren Van GiesenClark VaughnRita VourosElijah WaldronPhilip WalzakRay WardJosephina WattsRuby WilliamsonShirlee WisemanJames WolffMarilyn WylesCarol YennacoConnie Zevely

24

Peter S. Churchill u Leon Ganung u Anonymous u Kim A. Hanna u Sherry L. Murray

Richard Nimphie u Francis F. Oppedisano u Jacqueline A. Oppedisano u Becky Rizzuto

James M. Robertson u Ruth Shively u Thomas D. Stevens, Jr. u Eleanor Weidemeyer

John H. Weidemeyer

Legacy SocietyThe Legacy Society recognizes and honors people who have advised us of their plans to leave a future planned gift to The ALS Association Florida Chapter. Such gifts might include a bequest, appreciated securities, gifts of real estate, gifts of life insurance and/or charitable income gifts, such as charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder unitrusts, charitable remainder annuity trusts. For more information, contact Kim Hanna at 888-257-1717, ext. 105.

Italicized names reflect members who are deceased.

Lou GehrigTM licensed by the Rip Van Winkle Foundation: www.LouGehrig.com

Join the National Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Registry

Join the National ALS Registry at www.cdc.gov/als or call (770) 488-0027 for more information.

While you will receive no direct benefits from joining, visit the Registry Web page for useful information on clinical trials and clinics.

The National ALS Registry will help give a better picture of who gets ALS and risk factors for the disease. It will also help researchers get better information on the number of people with ALS. You can join if you have ALS and are a citi-zen or legal resident of the U.S. It only takes about 5 minutes.

With interest rates on investments low and markets volatile, the current payment rates on Charitable Gift Annuities really do represent a golden opportunity for you and for The ALS Association Florida Chapter.

You benefit today and help make a difference in the lives of ALS patients and their families in the future. You make a gift to The Associa-tion and in return, we agree to make payments to you for life - at attractive payment rates. To receive a free personal illustration showing your payments and tax savings based on your exact age and gift amount, contact our chapter.

Charitable Gift Annuities Are A Golden Opportunity!

Contact: Kim HannaTel: 813-637-9000 ext 105 | 888-257-1717 | khanna@alsafl.org

The ALS Association Florida Chapter | 3242 Parkside Center Circle | Tampa, Florida 33619 | www.alsafl.org

25

Lou GehrigTM licensed by the Rip Van Winkle Foundation: www.LouGehrig.com

Join the National Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Registry

Join the National ALS Registry at www.cdc.gov/als or call (770) 488-0027 for more information.

While you will receive no direct benefits from joining, visit the Registry Web page for useful information on clinical trials and clinics.

The National ALS Registry will help give a better picture of who gets ALS and risk factors for the disease. It will also help researchers get better information on the number of people with ALS. You can join if you have ALS and are a citi-zen or legal resident of the U.S. It only takes about 5 minutes.

GO TO: WWW.CDC.GOV/ALS TO JOIN THE NATIONAL ALS REGISTRY!

26

Florida’s Mobility Equipment DealersPremiere

The Bruno Joey allows stowage of your unoccupied wheelchair or scooter into most domestic and foreign mini vans. The new Bruno Turning Automotive Seat (TAS) technology offers the ability to get in and out of many popular minivans, trucks and some cars with minimal or no assistance. Many passenger and some driver applications are available.

The Bruno Meridian mounts on your trailer hitch and can carry scooters and manypowered wheelchairs. The Meridian is light weight and folds up out of the way whennot in use.

TAS

.

Wheelchair Accessible For larger individuals or larger wheelchairsthe full-sized van offers the best mobility solution. Easily transports family members and additional medical equipment with ease.

Full-sized

Served in the Military? Ask us aboutAUTO MOBILITY SALES

LAKE WORTH, POMPANO,

MIAMI & THE GOLD COAST

1-877-292-0054www.automobilitysales.com

Meridian

RIDE-AWAYHANDICAP EQUIPMENT

TAMPA BAY, THE TREASURE COAST, THE GULF COAST & CENTRAL FLORIDA

888-RIDE-AWAYwww.Ride-AwayTampa.com

Joey

recent updates in VA benefits

To the ALS community;

We understand mobility and the importance it has for you and your family. That's why as a committed partner with the ALS Association Florida Chapter, we're here to help. Auto Mobility Sales and Ride-Away Handicap Equipment have years of experience and are the most trusted names for vehicular mobility throughout Florida.

Our mobility consultants are well trained to field your questions and to walk you through every step of the process of acquiring your own mobility vehicle, lift, or turning seat. We'll make it easy and we'll make it as stress-free as we possibly can. Our expert mobility consultants can educate you on your needs today as well as what your future needs may be. We can even help you with driving aids.

We carry a wide selection of new and pre-owned mobility vehicles and equipment available for immediate delivery. We are State licensed automotive professionals and provide trade in services, financing, as well as extended warranties. Ask us about accessible van rentals too!

Don't waste valuable time and money with amateurs. Call the professionals today!

Call and ask about our affordable pricing and financing options!

Minivans

Over the years, wheelchair accessible minivans have become the popular choice in the vehicle modification industry because of their drivability, appearance and overall appeal.

www.Ride-AwayTampa.comwww.automobilitysales.com

27

Florida’s Mobility Equipment DealersPremiere

The Bruno Joey allows stowage of your unoccupied wheelchair or scooter into most domestic and foreign mini vans. The new Bruno Turning Automotive Seat (TAS) technology offers the ability to get in and out of many popular minivans, trucks and some cars with minimal or no assistance. Many passenger and some driver applications are available.

The Bruno Meridian mounts on your trailer hitch and can carry scooters and manypowered wheelchairs. The Meridian is light weight and folds up out of the way whennot in use.

TAS

.

Wheelchair Accessible For larger individuals or larger wheelchairsthe full-sized van offers the best mobility solution. Easily transports family members and additional medical equipment with ease.

Full-sized

Served in the Military? Ask us aboutAUTO MOBILITY SALES

LAKE WORTH, POMPANO,

MIAMI & THE GOLD COAST

1-877-292-0054www.automobilitysales.com

Meridian

RIDE-AWAYHANDICAP EQUIPMENT

TAMPA BAY, THE TREASURE COAST, THE GULF COAST & CENTRAL FLORIDA

888-RIDE-AWAYwww.Ride-AwayTampa.com

Joey

recent updates in VA benefits

To the ALS community;

We understand mobility and the importance it has for you and your family. That's why as a committed partner with the ALS Association Florida Chapter, we're here to help. Auto Mobility Sales and Ride-Away Handicap Equipment have years of experience and are the most trusted names for vehicular mobility throughout Florida.

Our mobility consultants are well trained to field your questions and to walk you through every step of the process of acquiring your own mobility vehicle, lift, or turning seat. We'll make it easy and we'll make it as stress-free as we possibly can. Our expert mobility consultants can educate you on your needs today as well as what your future needs may be. We can even help you with driving aids.

We carry a wide selection of new and pre-owned mobility vehicles and equipment available for immediate delivery. We are State licensed automotive professionals and provide trade in services, financing, as well as extended warranties. Ask us about accessible van rentals too!

Don't waste valuable time and money with amateurs. Call the professionals today!

Call and ask about our affordable pricing and financing options!

Minivans

Over the years, wheelchair accessible minivans have become the popular choice in the vehicle modification industry because of their drivability, appearance and overall appeal.

www.Ride-AwayTampa.com

28

www.ridetodefeatals.org

November 3, 2012 Largo, FL

Support GroupsJoin us at an upcoming resource group to find practical advice on day-to-day living with ALS and a safe place to express your concerns. Everyone is welcome.

Visit www.ALSAFL.org or call us at 888-257-1717 for support group dates and directions.

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE

PAIDTAMPA FL

Permit No 2910

The ALS Association Florida Chapter, Inc. 3242 Parkside Center Circle Tampa, FL 33619-0907

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Register Today for the 2012 Ride to Defeat ALS!

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