ALS

Federal health advisers have voted overwhelmingly against recommending approval of an experimental treatment for Lou Gehrig's disease, the fatal muscle-wasting disease.

The Food and Drug Administration meets this week to consider a much-debated treatment for Lou Gehrig’s disease.

It was a cool, or shall we say cold, way to raise money: Jacksonville leaders took an icy dip to raise money for the ALS Association.

More than 500 people walked Saturday on the campus of UNF to raise money to find a cure for ALS.

Several years ago our WJXT family was personally touched by ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, when our beloved executive producer Sharon Siegel-Cohen was diagnosed.

There was long line of law enforcement vehicles from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and other agencies, stretched across town as a procession honoring the late Assistant Chief James Judge, better known as “Jimmy.”

Tributes are pouring in for Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Assistant Chief Jimmy Judge.

The U.S. government will soon spend $25 million to help patients access experimental drugs for the incurable illness known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

The team played a "Strike Out ALS" game this afternoon against Kennesaw State.

Hundreds of people raised money Saturday to find a cure for ALS, a deadly disorder that affects the nerves and muscles, eventually taking away someone’s ability to walk, talk and even breathe.

Federal health advisers have narrowly ruled against an experimental drug for the debilitating illness known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a negative review of a closely watched experimental drug for the debilitating illness known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

We would like to continue raising money in Sharon’s name, in hopes of finding a cure for ALS.

The Food and Drug Administration meets next week to review a closely watched drug for ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, following months of lobbying by patient groups and congressional lawmakers.

Saturday's wet and windy weather conditions forced many events around the region to cancel or postpone, including the ALS Walk in St. Augustine.

A local police officer loved by the community continues to fight ALS.

We would like to continue raising money in Sharon’s name, in hopes of finding a cure for ALS.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jimmy Judge stepped behind the barbell. In his 30 years with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Judge has never stepped away from a challenge. But last year he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord, according to the ALS Association. “Myo” refers to muscle, and “Trophic” means nourishment: “No muscle nourishment.” When a muscle has no nourishment, it “atrophies” or wastes away.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – For 30 years, Jimmy Judge has committed his life to his family and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Now, as an assistant chief with JSO, he’s in one of the greatest fights of his life. A Special Fundraiser benefiting Jimmy Judge & His FamilyHe’s spreading the word about ALS while fighting for his life. “He said, ‘Jimmy, this disease, people don’t survive this disease,’” Judge said. So, if you see him moving and not resting, don’t judge him.

In April 2012, Kevin founded A Life Story Foundation, which has raised more than $1.5 million for ALS awareness and research and can be found at alifestoryfoundation.org. “We get questions that are so basic, and we have seen it all over the past eight years,” he said. There is an existing network of nonprofits focused on curing ALS and easing the path of those afflicted with the disease. Cash had been ticketed for a home with another family, but he quickly bonded with Kevin and Shaina. Kevin and Shaina had a courthouse wedding Jan. 26, 2018 – a year after their first date, with Shaina already pregnant with Elliott.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A producer at News4Jax for more than 25 years who lost her battle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease earlier this year was posthumously honored Wednesday at the Florida Times-Union’s Eve Awards. Sharon Siegel-Cohen, 62, was one of 12 finalists. The Eve Awards honors women for their contributions to the community. The three recipients are Brenda Priestly Jackson, Randy DeFoor and Shannon Nazworth. The Eve Awards were established by the Florida Times-Union in 1969.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Our WJXT family continues to mourn beloved executive producer Sharon Siegel-Cohen, who lost a courageous battle this month with Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS. Her accomplishments and life are being recognized in a resolution that will be introduced Tuesday night to the Jacksonville City Council by Councilwoman Joyce Morgan, who was an anchor at WJXT in the 90s and early 2000s. READ | City Council resolution to honor Sharon Siegel-CohenA Jacksonville native and a friend to hundreds, Sharon, 62, shaped countless lives in her work with WJXT, including scores of interns who came through our doors. Many of them eventually came to work for WJXT themselves, among them anchor and reporter Vic Micolucci. The day Sharon passed, Micolucci posted a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, calling Sharon his dear friend, mentor, work mother and fearless leader.

Longtime executive producer Sharon Siegel-Cohen lost a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS. Full Screen 1 / 24 Sharon leads her team and more than 1,000 others Saturday in the Jacksonville Walk to Defeat ALS. “Sharon’s Day, Sharon’s Day, her birthday is today.”One of a kind: caring, compassionate, comical, Sharon even attempted a short rap career with her son, Martin, for his high school prom. In recent weeks, with the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing, those who loved Sharon resorted to sending videos and uplifting messages. “Five days a week, Sharon and I were together, she was family,” anchor Bruce Hamilton said somberly after her passing.

Larry Falivena is spending three months traveling to MLB ballparks in an RV, and his family has joined him. But for Larry Falivena, a husband and father of two, accomplishing that goal is about much more than the game. A nod to "Iron Horse" Lou GehrigIn February, Larry and Shana Falivena met with the CEO of the ALS Association, Calaneet Balas. Gehrig, dubbed the "Iron Horse" for playing 2,130 consecutive games, retired from baseball in 1939 after being diagnosed with ALS. "This mission is more important than being comfortable and safe and protected in our own little bubble in Apex," Shana Falivena said to CNN.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Thousands of people gathered at Tinseltown on Saturday to join in the Walk to Defeat ALS, including a large group of News4Jax employees walking to support executive producer Sharon Cohen who was diagnosed with a form of ALS. PHOTO GALLERY: Songbirds walk to support Sharon, defeat ALSDespite her diagnosis, she was smiling at today's walk and pleased to see so many others there to support her and others battling ALS. People at the walk were chanting, "We will, we will, we will cure this disease." An estimated $29,000 was raised by Sharon's Songbirds to support the effort to find a cure for ALS. Money raised by the Jacksonville walk will go to help those locally living with and affected by ALS.