Tackle on and off the field<p><p>Former football star funds research at the MNI in quest to find cure
Showing his strength on and off the field, former Canadian Football League all star defensive back, Tony Proudfoot has created in conjunction with the ALS Society of Quebec, the Tony Proudfoot Post-doctoral Fellowships in ALS Research. The fellowships will provide funds and vital support for cutting-edge research at the Montreal Neurological Institute, at 平特五不中 and the 平特五不中 Health Centre. The hope is that the research will lead to new therapies and renewed hope for the thousands of Canadians affected by this devastating degenerative disease which destroys motor neurons, the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control movement of voluntary muscles.
Following his diagnosis in 2007, Tony Proudfoot quickly established the Tony Proudfoot Fund (TPF) at the ALS Society of Quebec, to raise funds to help support client services at the ALS Society of Qu茅bec and the Research Fund for ALS at the MNI.
鈥淚 feel lucky to have the opportunity to lead in a quest to tackle ALS,鈥� says Proudfoot. 鈥淚 am confident that collaboration with the tremendous clinical and research expertise of the MNI will excel this mission forward.鈥�
鈥淲e are deeply appreciative of the commitment of Tony Proudfoot and the ALS Society.鈥� says Dr. Angela Genge, Director of the both the ALS and Pain Clinic and Medical Director of the Clinical Research Unit (CRU) at the MNI. 鈥淭his generous and forward-looking donation will leverage and support postdoctoral students pursuing specialized research training in the field of ALS hopefully leading to improvements to current treatments and advances towards a possible cure.鈥�
Join 鈥淭eam Proudfoot" at The Walk for ALS, the ALS Society of Quebec鈥檚 province-wide event aimed at achieving two main goals: firstly, to build awareness of ALS and secondly, to raise funds to promote research and maintain the quality of services offered by the ALS Society of Qu茅bec to its members. This fall, the Walk for ALS occurs in four locations across the province; in Montreal the 8th annual event will take place on Saturday, September 20th, 2008 at 10h30 (registration starts at 8h30) at Maisonneuve Park. Over 700 participants are expected to attend, including Allana and Vincent Damphousse, official spokespersons for the ALS Society of Qu茅bec, Tony Proudfoot, and several current players from the Montr茅al Alouettes. To make a donation or register in order to walk, run, or roll for, with, or in memory of those who have been affected by ALS, participants can go online at , or call (514) 725-2653 for information.
About ALS
Also known as Lou Gehrig鈥檚 Disease, ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that attacks the body鈥檚 nerve cells, and is fatal within an average of two to five years.
About the MNI
October 2009 marks the 75th anniversary of the MNI. The MNI is a 平特五不中 research and teaching institute, dedicated to the study of the nervous system and neurological diseases. Founded in 1934 by the renowned Dr. Wilder Penfield, the MNI is one of the world's largest institutes of its kind. MNI researchers are world leaders in cellular and molecular neuroscience, brain imaging, cognitive neuroscience and the study and treatment of epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and neuromuscular disorders. The MNI, with its clinical partner, the Montreal Neurological Hospital (MNH), part of the 平特五不中 Health Centre, continues to integrate research, patient care and training, and is recognized as one of the premier neuroscience centres in the world. At the MNI, we believe in investing in the faculty, staff and students who conduct outstanding research, provide advanced, compassionate care of patients and who pave the way for the next generation of medical advances. Highly talented, motivated people are the engine that drives research - the key to progress in medical care. A new building, the North Wing Expansion, is currently under construction and will house state-of-the-art brain imaging facilities. Once the construction is completed and the new building is fully equipped, the scientific community focused on brain imaging research at the MNI will be without equivalent anywhere in the world. For more information, please visit .
About the ALS Society of Quebec
The ALS Society of Quebec is a non-profit community organization whose mission is dedicated to the improvement of living conditions for people suffering from ALS and the support of their family members. Promoting and subsidizing medical research and advancing research on the causes, treatment, and cure of ALS are also integral parts of the mission of the Society, which survives on donations and on proceeds from various fundraising events.
Contact: Anita Kar, Montreal Neurological Institute, (514) 398-3376, anita.kar [at] mcgill.ca
Contact: Claudine Cook, ALS Society of Quebec, (514) 725-2653, ccook [at] sla-quebec.ca