USA Health Outreach: November 12
USA Health employees are making an impact in the community. See photos and learn about some of their recent service projects.
Mobile Walk to Defeat ALS raises money and awareness for local treatment
The 2024 Mobile Walk to Defeat ALS brought together more than 200 people, many with a personal connection to the disease, to raise more than $30,000 to support research, advocacy and treatment.
One of the newest ways for ALS patients to receive care locally is at USA Health’s Kelly Butler ALS Center, which offers comprehensive individualized treatment in a single convenient location at the USA Health Strada Patient Care Center in Mobile.
“We have the only multidisciplinary ALS center in our area,” said Terry O’Neil, program manager of the clinic. Attending the walk “allowed family members an opportunity to network and support other families.”
Several participants who lost family members or were navigating a new diagnosis spoke about their journey with ALS at the event.
Christy Byrd, a nurse, care manager and event organizer, described the need for more funding for ALS research as crucial.
“There is very little funding for research and there are very few treatments for ALS,” she said. “So going forward, that’s something our center hopes to get involved with as we work to highlight the needs in our community.”
Among the groups attending the ALS walk was the University of South Alabama baseball team, who walked in support of former player and alumnus Hunter Griffin, whose father had ALS, and members of the Linden Volunteer Fire Department, who honored Steve Diehl, their captain in charge of training, by completing the course in full turnout gear.
More than $1,900 raised in Purses for Preemies inaugural fundraiser
Through the donation of purses and their subsequent sale, USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital employees assisted in raising more than $1,900 to help premature babies during the first Purses for Preemies fundraiser on Nov. 8.
More than 100 new and gently used handbags were donated for the sale and auction led by members of the hospital’s leadership team.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the March of Dimes, which helps to support and fund programs and equipment for premature newborns who spend time in the level III neonatal intensive care unit and small baby unit at Children’s & Women’s Hospital.
