Patient Group Supports ALS Clinic at University Hospital
April 18 2010 | Ride for Life News
As a result of the last Ride For Life, an annual ALS wheelchair ride across Long Island, NY, money was raised for patient care at University Hospital’s ALS Clinic. The clinic was recently certified as an ALS Center of Excellence by the National ALS Association.
Ride For Life founder and president, Dr. Christopher Pendergast, made a $65,000 grant to help the clinic cover nursing and related patient service costs. “This is the only comprehensive ALS Clinic on the entire island,” Pendergast pointed out. “The ALS community must support the facility, the great staff, and the excellent care that Stony Brook provides through Clinic. I wish it was more. So much is needed.”
The annual Ride For Life occurs each May during ALS Awareness Month. Patients travel by power wheelchair from the east end to Manhattan over multiple days. Since the Clinic’s inception in 2002, the patient advocacy group has granted over $300,000 to assist Stony Brook’s unique ALS center.
Coming May 15, the Ride For Life will be traveling in the Stony Brook area including a stop at the Veterans Home and the Pinwheel Memorial ALS display in South P Lot. Walkers are encouraged to join the group for the 10 mile event. For more information, visit www.RideForLife.com or call the Ride office on campus at (631) 444-1292.
