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.

A California exhibition curated by Hilton Als commemorates Didion’s life and work, with contributions from a variety of notable artists.

If you did the "Ice Bucket Challenge" in 2014, you may have helped fund a new drug for ALS. Some experts are fond of its FDA approval; others less so.

In 2014, it was hard to miss the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge that set out to raise money to fund research for the disease. And it paid off. A new treatment was funded by $2.2 million of the funds raised.

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.

In March, experts who advise the FDA questioned the efficacy of an experimental new drug for ALS. In September, they voted to approve it anyway.

A panel of federal health advisers has voted to recommend approval for an experimental drug to treat Lou Gehrig's disease.

“The work of building a more just society must continue,” he says.

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.

The agency should follow its expert panel’s recommendation and wait for the results of a larger clinical study.

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.

Brian Wallach has beaten the odds; four years ago, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and given six months to live. He's used that time to lobby for more research funds for promising drugs to combat ALS, and to make experimental treatments available.

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.

The cartoon creator said his hit Nickelodeon show was born out of his love of the sea.

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, robs people of several abilities, including the ability to speak. But now patients are finding a way to make their voices live on. Dr. Jon LaPook has more.

Man with ALS shares joy of tuxedos with Steve Hartman When Chris Rosati, a North Carolina man with ALS, isn't busy spreading acts of kindness he enjoys having a laugh. Watch him show off his love of tuxedos in a fun skit with CBS News' Steve Hartman.

How will ALS foundation spend Ice Bucket Challenge millions? The ice bucket challenge was one of the most successful charity campaigns raising over $114 million, but is all that money being spent effectively? Michelle Miller reports.

Lawmakers and religious groups ban ALS ice bucket challenge The ALS ice bucket challenge has now raised almost $42 million since late July, up from just $2 million last year. Many of the 740,000 donors have participated in the fun ice challenge, but others have reasons why they can't join the cause. Ben Tracy reports.