More funding needed to help veterans with ALS

Many readers may recall that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mistakenly sent a letter to thousands of veterans earlier this year informing them that they had been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). A big mistake? Yes, one for which the VA has apologized. But what readers probably don't know is the fact that veterans are approximately twice as likely to die from Lou Gehrig's disease as the general public. What readers probably don't know is that the VA is doing something about it.

The VA is providing significant benefits to our heroes who are fighting for their lives against ALS, a fatal disease for which there is no effective treatment and no cure. Thanks to the VA, these veterans and their families have access to disability compensation, health care and other vital benefits they have earned and deserve.

This Veterans Day, Nov. 11, let's make sure all veterans living with ALS know about these benefits. And let's urge Congress to step up to the plate and provide the research and funding necessary not only to learn why our veterans are dying from ALS, but also to discover a treatment that can save their lives.

Our veterans fought for us. It's time we fought for them. To learn how you can help, please visit the ALS Association's Web site at www.alsa.org

Ken Nadermann

Cedar Rapids