News

November 13th, 2023 - COVID-19

Neurologists at Hospital de Mar to Run 24 Hours for ALS

We encourage everyone worldwide to join the ALS cause by supporting it with their contributions to professionals in their fight against a disease that challenges hope.

On the 16th and 17th of December, a team of professionals from the Hospital de Mar Neurology team will participate in the 20th edition of the 24-Hour Ultramarathon. The challenge involves a race in which runners will cover a distance of 260 kilometers in 24 hours. All of this is aimed at raising funds for research into Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This sports event, organized by Corredors.cat, will take place at the athletics courts of the Estadio Municipal Joan Serrahima on Saturday, December 16, and will conclude on Sunday the 17th after 24 hours of racing.

The medical team at Hospital de Mar is joining the KMSXELA solidarity initiative to unite efforts and achieve maximum visibility in the collective fight against ALS. Additionally, these neurologists, who are both solidarity-oriented and committed, have created a challenge on the Migranodearena crowdfunding platform to encourage people to contribute funds for research projects being developed at the Hospital de Mar Research Institute.

Former footballer Juan Carlos Unzué supports this challenge along with the Friends of the Hospital de Mar Foundation, which has been actively involved in supporting and organizing activities to reinforce the visibility of this solidarity project aimed at promoting research and improving the quality of assistance for people and families affected by ALS.

The ALS

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a rare and complex disease, with an incidence in Catalonia of 2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year and a median life expectancy of between three and five years. Currently, there is no effective treatment, making research vital to changing the natural history of the disease.

Hospital de Mar has an ALS Unit that offers a highly specialized, multidisciplinary service in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of people with ALS. With the participation of neurologists, pulmonologists, nutritionists, rehabilitators, occupational therapists, and psychologists, the team provides comprehensive care to approximately 50-60 patients a year. In addition to healthcare, professionals are actively involved in research, collaborating with other institutions and being part of the European research platform ENCALS and the TRICALS clinical trials.

With three ongoing clinical trials at the center, each donation takes us one step closer to finding a cure and improving the quality of life for those affected by ALS. We encourage society to join the cause by supporting professionals with their contributions in their fight against a disease that challenges hope.