ALS Podcast

Episode 34 with Wendy Barnes, LSW

In this Podcast, Wendy Barnes talks about her 15 years of working with The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter. From her start running an ALS support group to her work today managing the Howard I. Abrams In-Home Care Program, Respite Care, and the Accessibility Fund, Wendy discusses how she does her job, what ALS means to her today after over a decade with the Chapter, and her efforts with the Lehigh Valley Walk to Defeat ALS. Join Wendy at the walk on October 17 at Coca Cola Park in Allentown, PA at www.lehighvalleywalktodefeatals.org and find out more about supporting the ALS cause and the programs Wendy mentions at www.alsphiladelphia.org 

Episode 33 with Brianne and Tim from Donn's Dash

Donn’s Dash is named in honor of Donn Schmidt, a beloved husband, father and resident of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Tim Seigfried and his friends at eBay Enterprise helped create this 5k event in downtown Wilkes-Barre, PA to surprise their coworker, Brianne Schmidt. Together Brianne, Tim, and the team created and organized this event from scratch and, in their first year, raised over $15,000 for ALS care services. Listen to Tim and Brianne talk about their experiences in this episode of the ALS Podcast and then continue the fight against ALS at www.alsphiladelphia.org 

Episode 32 with Sue Walsh

Sue Walsh, Director of Clinical Services at the ALS Association Treatment Center at Hershey Medical Center, joins the podcast to talk about her two decades of providing nursing care to people with ALS. In this episode, Sue discusses how the clinic has grown at Hershey Medical Center, the work of Dr. Zach Simmons, coordinating care and research, and how the work impacts her personally. Support her team for the Hershey Walk to Defeat ALS all year long at www.hersheywalktodefeatals.org or donate generally at www.alsphiladelphia.org and follow on social media @alsphiladelphia 

Episode 31 - Tracy, Ali, and Emma of BAYADA Home Health Care

BAYADA Home Health Care is a national partner with The ALS Association, a relationship that began locally with The Greater Philadelphia Chapter. In this podcast, Tracy Sideris, Ali Nielsen, and Emma Straub of BAYADA talk about working for a values driven company, how partnering with The ALS Association at many events has mutual benefits for all involved, and what they have learned about ALS and improving quality care since the relationship began. Join them at a Walk to Defeat ALS at www.gpcwalktodefeatals.org and follow BAYADA on Twitter and Instagram @BAYADAHHC 

Episode 30 ALS and FTD with Judy Lyter and Travis Haines

Judy Lyter and Travis Haines from Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center join the ALS Podcast to discuss their surveys to screen for froto-temporal dementia in persons with ALS. Their screening process will help guide better treatment, start the discussions on brain health and cognition earlier in the ALS journey, and provide comfort and resources to family caregivers. Listen, share, and get involved at www.alsphiladelphia.org 

Episode 29 Dr James Connor

You may have donated to ALS research, but what is that research money funding? In this podcast, Dr. James Connor of Hershey Medical Center talks about his research, funded through The ALS Association, which focuses on the effect of iron and oxygen on ALS. He speaks about understanding ALS, what the differences are in people living with the disease, the advancements in biomarkers, and the challenges and opportunities of research generally. Continue to support ALS research all year long at www.alsphiladelphia.org 

Episode 28 with Allison Lardner

Allison Lardner is the Associate Director of the national Walk program at The ALS Association. In this podcast, she talks with us about what makes the Walk to Defeat ALS so special and effective, how a company can be successful as a sponsor, and why people come back year after year to participate in a walk. Listen, share, and join a Walk to Defeat ALS in our Chapter region at www.gpcwalktodefeatals.org 

Episode 27 with Chris Martin

Greater Philadelphia Walk to Defeat ALS chair Chris Martin talks about the Walk to Defeat ALS, getting corporate sponsorship, and, most importantly, the effect his father's battle with ALS had on him and his family. Join Chris at a walk this fall at www.gpcwalktodefeatals.org 

Episode 26 Jeanette Beck and Kerry Durkan on Hershey Walk to Defeat ALS

Jeanette Beck was the top individual fundraiser for the 2015 Hershey Walk to Defeat ALS this May and it was also Kerry Durkan's first official walk as part of the ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter staff. Listen as Kerry talks about her first experience with a walk and Jeanette shares how she has used her personal story for years to raise money and awareness to fight ALS, including establishing a Named Fund. Continue to Challenge ALS at www.alsphiladelphia.org and support a walk at www.gpcwalktodefeatals.org all year round. 

Episode 25 BCI with Melanie Fried Oken

Melanie Fried-Oken, Ph.D., CCC/Sp is a certified speech-language pathologist and a leading international clinician and researcher in the field of Augmentative and Alternative Communication. In this podcast, Dr. Fried-Oken talks about Brain Computer Interface and how this emerging technology will help people with ALS and others who are "locked in" communicate with the world and have a higher quality of life. Listen and then get involved at www.alsphiladelphia.org and follow on social media @alsphiladelphia