Jason Dedrick, professor at the School of Information Studies (iSchool) and the iSchool’s iBand will again be supporting the Upstate New York Chapter of the ALS Association in this year’s Lowell Smith Walk to Defeat ALS.
The chapter is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to finding the cause of and cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a devastating and fatal neuromuscular disease that is also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
The financial cost to families of persons with ALS can be up to $250,000 per year, depleting savings of patients and their relatives. The ALS Association is funded solely by donations, and the chapter offers all services to people with Lou Gehrig’s Disease and their families free of charge.
Dedrick and the iBand have played at the event for several years. The iBand is the house band for the iSchool, and specializes in classic rock from the 1960s through the 1990s, as well as performing original tunes. The iBand plays at school and campus parties, community events, and benefit concerts around the Syracuse area.
“In addition to playing for the walkers at the event this year,” said Dedrick, “I’ve also created a walk team, called Stefanie’s Striders, in memory of my sister Stefanie who lost her life to ALS in 1999.”
This year’s walk is scheduled for Sunday, September 11 at Long Branch Park in Liverpool.
Participation in the Walk will make a difference in the lives of those affected by ALS, noted Dedrick. “The money we raise will help the ALS Association support global research, assist people with ALS, fund multidisciplinary certified clinical care centers, and foster government partnerships,” he said. “The ALS Association builds hope and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure.”
For more information about the walk, or to join Dedrick’s team, visit Stefanie’s Striders web page.
For more information about the ALS Association, visit www.alsaupstateny.org.