Barbara Drummond's affiliation with the Les Turner ALS Foundation in Skokie began in January 1991. Her husband Dave had just been diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease), and she wanted to learn more about the disease and to find out about the programs and services available.

While caring for her husband during his illness, Drummond became involved in ALS activities to help raise funds to continue the many programs offered by the foundation.

Dave died in 1994, but Drummond remains committed to increasing awareness of ALS, to help find a cure for the disease and to help provide support to the families of ALS victims.

"The needs of the ALS patients and their families is not something you walk away from. I want to pay back for the help that was given to my husband. Also, I receive as much support from other families as I give," said Drummond.

ALS is a terminal neurological disorder, which results in progressive paralysis, loss of the ability to speak and swallow, and eventually death because of respiratory complications when the muscles of breathing become affected. Average life expectancy is three to five years.

The Les Turner ALS Foundation was founded in 1977, and the Skokie office is the largest independent ALS organization in the country. More than 550 patients are registered with their office. They support an outpatient ALS center and research laboratory at Northwestern Medical School in Chicago, where they have a multidisciplinary medical team.

The team includes three neurologists, nurse coordinator, occupational therapist, social worker, genetic counselor, speech pathologist and home liaison nurse.
The foundation also facilitates four support group meetings around the Chicago area every month and has a loaner bank of durable medical and communication equipment. In addition, free home visits are made by the home liaison nurse and social worker to counsel families, offer support and set up needed services in the home.

Drummond's many activities with the foundation includes coordinating the annual Arlington Heights Tag Days and her involvement with the Mammoth Music Mart. The Music Mart raises more than $300,000 per year from the sale of new and used music items which is used to help continue the foundation's programs.

She said her fund-raising efforts are driven by her need to help find a cure for ALS because "By a wide margin, ALS is one of the most poorly funded diseases. Very little federal funding is received, so help is really critical if anything is going to happen to find a cure," she said.

Wendy Abrams, executive director, and Claire Owen, patient service coordinator at the Les Turner ALS Foundation, agree. They said that Drummond is an active member of the board of directors and provides a unique and personal perspective as an ALS family member and former caregiver. She has supported all foundation events, served on several committees and has been a representative to our Scientific Review Committee.

In addition, Drummond is tireless in promoting ALS awareness and advocacy. She writes letters to legislators and institutions seeking increased funding for ALS research and patient services. She was also a member of the Illinois delegation at ALS Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill in May 2000.

At the local level, Drummond maintains close ties with ALS families and has been instrumental in establishing a network of families, who socialize and support one another emotionally. They also perform acts of kindness such as helping with errands, delivering medical equipment and providing meals, and continue that support and friendship after the death of loved ones.

Drummond was born in Springfield, Ill., and met her husband, Dave, while they were attending DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. She has lived in Arlington Heights for 27 years, and her family includes two sons Jim and Matt Drummond.

She works full time as program assistant in Arlington Heights School District 25's Early Childhood Program and enjoys walking, gardening and travel. She is an active member and serves on the Altar Guild of St. Simon's Episcopal Church in Arlington Heights.

- Nominate someone as Volunteer of the Week. Contact Lyn J. Kearns c/o The Daily Herald, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006-0280.

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