Patients living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in British Columbia have received a bit more ‘hope’ as they battle the disease.
On Wednesday, the provincial government announced $2 million in funding will be provided to the ALS Society of BC.
Dubbed Project Hope, the funds will be used to further research a cure and for clinical trials through a research professorship in collaboration with the University of British Columbia (UBC). This new, permanent ALS dedicated clinician/scientist, will offer patient care and help to further improve patient outcomes and research, with the goal of increasing access to clinical trials in B.C. for local patients.
“For the first time in nearly a decade, British Columbians living with ALS will soon have a chance to participate in potentially life-changing research close to home,” said Health Minister Adrian Dix. “For 40 years, the ALS Society of BC has been dedicated to providing support to patients and their families and works to improve the quality of life for people living with ALS. Now, through Project Hope they are giving more hope to people with ALS by supporting clinical trials right here in B.C.”
The clinician/scientist will work out of the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health (DMCBH) at UBC. Scientists at DMCBH also work on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's research, which provides an opportunity for collaboration between the study of these three neurodegenerative diseases.
“As somebody living with ALS, it feels great to know that our needs are recognized by the provincial government and UBC,” said Brad MacKenzie, chair, ALS Society of BC Advocacy Committee. “Now that Porject Hope is successful, British Columbians living with ALS, myself included, should feel proud that we will soon have more local access to cutting-edge, world-class clinical trials for the disease.”
The ALS Society of BC was founded in 1981 by ALS patients, their family members and health-care professionals to meet the physical and emotional needs of people living with ALS and their caregivers. They support families directly, raise funds for patient services and research and work to increase public awareness and understanding of ALS.
Approximately 400 British Columbians live with ALS. ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease where patients typically become unable to move, speak, swallow and breathe as the condition progresses.
