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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Advocacy Day 2001BWZA Representatives Meet with CongressDuring
National ALS Advocacy Day Sponsored
by the ALS Association
Harrisburg,
Pa � On May 16-17, 2001, B.W. Zimmerman & Associates President, Scott
Zimmerman of Duncannon, and Senior Vice President, Jody Zimmerman Laverty of
Boothwyn, traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with the leadership of the United
States Congress to educate Members of Congress on the importance of stepping up
the fight to conquer Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) through research, care
and support. ALS,
more commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig�s disease, is a progressive, fatal
neuromuscular disorder that occurs when motor nerve cells cease to function and
die. While in most cases a person�s mind remains sharp and alert, voluntary
muscle control becomes completely lost. �We were thrilled to have the
opportunity to participate in this year�s National Advocacy Day,� said Jody.
�It was just inspiring to be with so many people working so hard and doing all
they are on behalf of the ALS community,� she added. Since
their father, Bruce Zimmerman of Hummelstown, was diagnosed with ALS in January
2000, Jody and Scott have been providing volunteer and advocacy services to the
ALS Association�s Greater Philadelphia Chapter, which provides resources and
assistance to persons with ALS (PALS) throughout the Central Pennsylvania area,
including the ALS Clinic at the Hershey Medical Center. Jody and Scott joined
other representatives from over forty (40) ALSA affiliates from across the
country to attend National ALS Advocacy Day. The delegation met with Senator
Arlen Specter and representatives from the offices of Congressman George Gekas,
Congressman Joseph Pitts, Congressman Tim Holden, and Congressman Todd Platts.
They discussed the plight of PALS and their caregivers and sought to ensure that
the implementation of the Medicare waiver law, The ALS Treatment and Assistance
Act, is a priority. The law, which will begin July 1, 2001, waives the 24-month
waiting period for Medicare eligibility for ALS patients. At
the conclusion of National ALS Advocacy Day, the advocates joined Members of
Congress at a reception held at The Ronald Reagan Building and International
Trade Center. Also attending the reception were NFL quarterback Steve Beuerlein,
baseball legends Steve Garvey, Steve Stone and Jay Johnstone, actor Michael
Gross, actor Michael Nouri and Mrs. Helen Hunter, wife of the late Hall of Fame
pitcher Jim �Catfish� Hunter. In
addition, Michael Havlicek, President of the ALS Association, presented the
Jacob K. Javits Public Service Award, presented in memory of Senator Javits, who
died of ALS in 1986. The events were sponsored by the ALS Association, the only national non-profit voluntary health organization dedicated solely to finding the cause and cure for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. For more information regarding Advocacy Day or ALS:
B.W. Zimmerman & Associates, Inc. 4811 Jonestown Road, Suite 227, Harrisburg, PA 17109 Harrisburg, PA 17109-1751 Phone: 717-657-6240 Fax: 717-657-6245 Email: Jody@bwza.com |
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Copyright � 2001-14 B.W. Zimmerman & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved |
