Thanks so much for visiting my page!

Please contribute today by clicking on the 'DONATE' button on the top right hand side of this page. If you prefer to mail in a check, click on the link for the "printable donation form" below. Thanks so much for whatever amount you can give.

Why do I Ride?

Through the community’s outpouring of support for ALS Golden West endurance events, here are just a few examples of how recent significant progress has been made in the fight against ALS:

• In April, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Qalsody (tofersen) as a therapy for the treatment of people with SOD1-ALS, a rarer form of the disease. The Golden West Chapter is proud to have played a role in Qalsody’s journey as the first FDA approved treatment to target a genetic cause of ALS. The ALS Association was an early investor in the antisense technology that powers tofersen; Chapter constituents participated in the clinical trials at clinics funded by the Chapter; and Chapter advocates lobbied for swift approval and access for the treatment. This historic milestone represents notable progress, and will have a lasting, positive impact in the ongoing development of new and better treatments for all forms of ALS. 

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• On 9/29/2022, the FDA announced that it approved AMX0035, now called RELYVRIO, as a new treatment for ALS. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2020 showed that AMX0035 is safe and effective at treating ALS. Last year, AMX0035 trial investigators reported long-term results showing that it can slow disease progression, extend life by 10 months, and reduce the risk of hospitalization. 

• In 2017, the FDA approved Radicava™ (Edaravone), the first new treatment specifically for ALS in 22 years. In clinical trials, some ALS patients receiving Radicava showed significantly less decline in physical function versus those receiving placebo. 

To learn more about the impact of ALS research during the past year, go to napavalleyride.org; click on 'About Us' on the main menu and then click on 'where the money goes.'

3 treatments approved in the past 6 years.  We're making progress.  AND IT'S NOT ENOUGH.  ALS hasn't stopped, so neither can we!

There is much more work to do to find better treatments and ultimately cures while improving the quality of care for those suffering from this progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Thanks again for your support as we strive to raise this year's important goal of $1.2M or more. 

Gratefully,

Asher