ALS & US: Understanding Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Zoom)

Did you know that every 90 minutes, someone is diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)? Not only that, but the University of Michigan Medicine reports that 90% of cases occur without any family history of the condition.

May is ALS Awareness month, and East Brunswick Public Library teams up with the ALS support organization MAC Angels Foundation for the online program “ALS & US: Understanding Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis” on Wednesday, May 15 at 7:00 pm.

The program is led by Dr. Shan Chen, Associate Professor of Neurology, Department of Neurology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Neuromuscular and ALS Center of New Jersey. She will give an overview of ALS as well as share resources for patients, families and caregivers.

Dr. Chen did her medical school training in Beijing University Medical School in China and obtained her PhD in Columbia University in neuroscience and neuropharmacology. She then finished her residency training at the New Jersey Neuroscience Institute at the John F Kennedy Medical Center of Seton Hall University and fellowship training in the Johns Hopkins Medical Institute in neuromuscular disorders.

She joined Rutgers University as a faculty in 2011. She is currently the director of the EMG laboratory and peripheral neuropathy program. Her clinical research interests focus on autoimmune neuropathy, neuropathic pain, ALS, and myasthenia gravis. She is actively treating many patients with ALS.

In addition to the program, the library (2 Jean Walling Civic Center Drive)  will have an ALS Awareness Month display from May 8 through May 17. It will feature information about the disease, resources for caregivers, and information about MAC Angels.

MAC Angels Foundation is a non-profit group that works to enhance the quality of life for parents, family members and caregivers impacted by ALS, by providing the compassion, education and unique resources needed to manage the devastating effects of this. Additional information about the group can be found online at www.macangels.org.

From May 8-15, visit our ALS Awareness Table in the Library Lobby to pick up some handouts during ALS Awareness Week. Click here for more information.