A major advocate for ALS research and fighting for a cure, Venture Construction Group of Florida (VCGFL) is proud to be the Premier 2021 Statewide Partner of the ALS Association Florida Chapter to raise funds and awareness. May is ALS Awareness Month.

The ALS Association launched its “Every Moment Matters” campaign to highlight important milestones and the moments that people in the ALS community cherish.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The disease was identified in 1869 by the French neurologist, Jean-Martin Charcot, and in 1939, after ending the career of one of baseball’s most beloved players, Lou Gehrig, it became more widely known internationally. ALS is commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

“The fight to defeat ALS is near and dear to my heart. I lost my father, Marty Shanton, to this disease. He was a fighter and fierce advocate for remaining positive throughout his journey with ALS. He always said that attitude determines altitude! We’re dedicated to supporting ALS research and finding a cure,” said Stephen Shanton, CEO and president of Venture Construction Group of Florida (VCGFL).

According to the ALS Association, over 5,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. It’s estimated that 30,000 people in the U.S. live with the disease. Most people who develop ALS are between the ages of 40 and 70, with an average age of 55 at the time of diagnosis. ALS is 20 percent more common in men than in women. However, with increasing age, the incidence of ALS is more equal between men and women. Recent studies show that military veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS. Every 90 minutes, someone is diagnosed with the disease and someone passes away from it. About 90 percent of ALS cases occur without family history, which is known as sporadic ALS. The remaining 10 percent of ALS cases are inherited through a mutated gene, which is known as familial ALS. Learn more or donate online at http://www.alsafl.org.