Fighting ALS? Palace exec suggests donating to patients at PGH

Filipinos who want to make a difference in the fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) may want to do something other than having a bucket of ice cold water poured over them.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte on Saturday suggested that those who want to help ALS sufferers make a donation to a ward where some ALS sufferers are confined.

“Meron tayong pasyenteng may ALS sa (Philippine General Hospital) neuro ward. Walang lunas ang sakit na ALS,” Valte said on government-run dzRB radio.

She said secretaries Armin Luistro (education) and Corazon Soliman (social welfare) already made donations to the ward.

Besides, she said, this is “for the same cause.”

On the other hand, Valte said she is accepting a challenge from some netizens to take the ice bucket challenge.

“Kung kakayanin ito, kung kakayanin man gagawin natin. Ang donation sigurado na yan for PGH, sa neuro ward na may ALS,” she said.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said on his Twitter account later Saturday afternoon that Valte had indeed taken the ice bucket challenge.

On Friday, “24 Oras” featured doctors and staff at the St. Luke's Medical Center taking the ice bucket challenge on a dare from a patient suffering from the disease.

"We felt we should actively participate in this campaign to raise funds for ALS," said Dr. Joven Cuanang, founding chairman of the SLMC Institute for Neurosciences.

But what made this challenge different was that it stemmed from a dare from new mother Maricel Barayuga, 30.

Barayuga was diagnosed with ALS only last March, a month after she gave birth. She agreed to face the TV cameras as her contribution to raise public awareness on ALS.

Maricel could no longer stand and has difficulty even breathing and talking.

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a neuro-degenerative disease that may affect the cells in the spinal cord and possibly lead to paralysis.

"Actually every time there's an ALS patient, it's very hard dahil walang cure. And by doing this, we'll create a big impact on research, how to cure it. This is really great," said Dr. Geraldine Mariano of SLMC's neuro-intensive care unit. — Joel Locisn /LBG, GMA News