Obama Applauds Brian and Sandra for Turning ALS Struggle into Hope

In his X account, Barrack Obama, the former President of the United States of America, has praised the relentless efforts of Brian Wallach and Sandra Abrevaya, the co-founders of the I AM ALS organization, as the epitome of hope.

@BarackObama

Brian and Sandra are the epitome of hope. When Brian was diagnosed with ALS, he turned tragedy into action by launching @iamalsorg and leading a movement to find a cure. I'm inspired by these two—and after you hear their story at the @DemConvention, you will be, too.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative condition that greatly affects the lives of patients and their caregivers. It hinders the communication between neurons in the brain and the muscles, causing muscle weakness and a progressive deterioration of movement, breathing, and speech.

Brian and Sandra were staffers in the Obama-Biden Campaign. The two were honoured to speak again at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago on August 19, 2024. In their moving speech, they heaped praises on the administration of Biden and Harries for their unmatched contribution to ALS research and the need for continued funding.

Wallach was diagnosed with ALS in 2017 and was informed he had six months to live. His appearances at the DNC moved the attendees' hearts with inspired hope. Since his diagnosis, Wallach and Abravaya have been working relentlessly for the advocacy of the people who have ALS.

"We've seen just how relentless activism can beat the odds just like what Brian has been doing for seven years and that is what we need right now to elect Kamala Harris," Abrevaya said.

"We all want to make life better for the next generation and believe that people like Brian can be the first generation of survivors, and we can make life better for our caregivers too," she added.

January 2019 saw the birth of I AM ALS by the couple. This organization was founded to be a voice for people living with ALS and their caregivers, advocating for increased research, improved treatments, and better support systems. On December 23, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act (ACT for ALS) into law. This signing promised one billion dollars to fund new research and earlier access to treatments for critically ill patients, a significant milestone for the organization.

Abrevaya hinted that this November, the people in the US will be voting for their future. She spoke on behalf of Wallach "because we will be around for it,".

Wallach and Abrevaya's unwavering aspiration is to transform ALS from a fatal diagnosis into a chronic condition, a beacon of hope for future generations.

"I authentically believe that my generation of ALS patients can be the first generation with ALS to survive, and that hope is driven by what we are seeing in the research and drug development," Wallach said.

Wallach and Abrevaya, as convention speakers, have passionately advocated for Kamala Harris's bid for the US presidency. With Kamala Harries in office, they envision an America that prioritizes everyone, including ALS patients facing challenging conditions. They stress the critical need for continued support and research funding to combat this degenerating disease.