April 11, 2007

AIDS has it better than ALS

Larry Kramer recently stated that we shouldn't settle for crumbs. I say, what if we didn't even have crumbs—like those living with Lou Gehrig’s disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS)?

Because of my personal association with a non-profit serving those affected with that disease, I have come to gain a deeper perspective of just how lucky I am to have a disease like AIDS, where we have lifesaving meds and government funding for services necessary in our care.

It might seem insane to many of you that as a board member of an AIDS service provider I would have a problem seeking private donations to help fund services for this disease I live with. But the fact is, I have a hard time going back to those same donors who contribute to the ALS center.

The ALS center needs these private donations to survive, and as part of a family who once benefited from their care and compassion, attending to continuing their mission has become a passion.

Scott Daly