American Airlines to Donate $1M to Answer ALS Foundation
September 20 2016 - 3:36PM
American Airlines this year will begin a multi-year financial
commitment of $1 million to the Answer ALS research project through
the Answer ALS Foundation. The research project will build the most
comprehensive clinical, genetic, molecular and biochemical
assessment of ALS.
ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive
neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and
the spinal cord. It is also commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s
disease, after the famous baseball player who was diagnosed with
it.
“With more than 100,000 employees at American, statistically
several of our team members or their family members will receive an
ALS diagnosis. Most recently, Vice President, Finance Peter Warlick
disclosed his personal battle with ALS. Since receiving his
diagnosis, Peter has become a champion for all American employees
fighting this disease by exploring the current state of research
available to those afflicted with ALS, and determining more can be
done,” said Doug Parker, CEO of American Airlines. “We are proud to
partner with Peter and Answer ALS on behalf of all American
employees who are suffering from ALS. Similar to American’s support
of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, we believe there is a real
opportunity to bring attention to orphan diseases like ALS that
require additional awareness and fundraising support in order to
bring them to an end.”
Employee SupportThrough this partnership,
American Airlines employees and their families will be able to
participate in the Answer ALS research project. They will have the
opportunity to meet with the top ALS experts at one of the six
designated program locations, providing them access to the top
researchers and clinicians in the ALS community.
American is also partnering with the Answer ALS Foundation to
assist employees and their dependents with navigation of the
disease, expert clinic referrals, resources for Medicare benefit
information, new assistive technologies such as voice banking and
more.
Warlick’s WarriorsIn addition, Warlick is
launching a fundraising effort – “Warlick’s Warriors” – to help
support the Answer ALS research efforts. Donations made through
Warlick’s Warriors (www.warlickswarriors.org) will be matched by
American Airlines up to $250,000. One hundred percent of the funds
donated will go directly to the Answer ALS research project.
“When I was diagnosed last year, two of the goals I set were to
change the outcome for future ALS patients and support my American
Airlines colleagues,” said Peter Warlick. “This research, and
the progress that will result in the coming years, while likely not
helpful to me, will benefit those who are diagnosed with ALS in the
future. Answer ALS, with its use of groundbreaking technology and
multi-institutional collaboration, provides the best opportunity to
reach this goal. I am extraordinarily grateful that American
Airlines is supporting this broad effort and joining me in this
aggressive fight.”
The Answer ALS project involves 1,000 patients and nearly two
dozen research entities at leading institutions, making it the
largest ALS research effort ever undertaken. There are six clinical
sites for the project: Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts
General Hospital, Washington University, Ohio State University,
Emory University and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
About American Airlines GroupAmerican Airlines
and American Eagle offer an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day
to nearly 350 destinations in more than 50 countries. American has
hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami,
New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C. American is a
founding member of the oneworld alliance, whose
members and members-elect serve nearly 1,000 destinations with
14,250 daily flights to 150 countries. Shares of American Airlines
Group Inc. trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AAL. In 2015,
its stock joined the S&P 500 index. Connect with American on
Twitter @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines.
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