As in previous years, the tenth edition of Tour du ALS concluded on Thursday with a record amount for the fight against the deadly disease ALS. With the provisional final amount of 1.6 million euros, last year’s record has been broken with more than 400,000 euros. This is reported by the ALS Netherlands Foundation.
Under the motto ‘Together we kick ALS out of the world’, 750 cyclists, runners and walkers started the ascent of Mont Ventoux together with ALS patients on Thursday. The Tour du ALS is the annual sporting event with which the ALS Netherlands Foundation raises as much money as possible for research into the cause and treatment of ALS and related diseases PSMA and PLS.
Ambassadors are committed again
Just like last year, ALS ambassadors Natasja and René Froger and Thomas Acda appeared at the start. For Thomas Acda it was the 3rd time that he participated in the Tour du ALS in the team of ALS patient Marieke Bakker. Marieke says: “It’s fantastic that so many people participate, every year there are more. Thomas is very involved and makes a lot of effort to ensure that everyone on the road makes room for our team.” Acda emphasizes the importance of raising as much money as possible for research into ALS: “Every tenner is a tenner on top of that other money. All those tens on each other are needed to find the solution.”
Still a deadly disease
ALS is one of the most serious nervous system disorders. Currently, no patient survives a diagnosis of ALS. Finding a cure for ALS must therefore be a top priority and money is needed for that. 75 percent of Tour du ALS proceeds go to scientific research into the cause and treatment of ALS, PSMA and PLS and 25 percent to improving the care and quality of life of current ALS patients and their families.
By: National Care Guide
Image: ALS Netherlands Foundation