Good Samaritan Award Winner December 2014
The organization at Team Gleason is one which, among other goals, aims to raise public awareness about ALS. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a disease which affects the nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain which control muscle movements. This disease is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease and essentially it causes the muscles to waste away and the nerves at the spinal cord to harden. Eventually a person with ALS, such as former New Orleans Saints football player Steve Gleason, becomes wheelchair bound and unable to make any movements other than involuntary ones.
In the year 2014 many people participated in the fundraising effort called The Ice Bucket Challenge. Steve Gleason was a big part of that and has not only contributed his own remaining life and money to ALS research for himself, but also for others struck by the disease. The Team Gleason House for Innovative Living is a residential facility designed to help those with ALS live a more independent life. The success of the first house has lead others to contribute as well, including Chase Bank who gave a grant of $350,000 towards the cause.
For his resilience, bravery and the way he has inspired countless others to think of their fellow human beings even in times of tremendous personal challenges we are pleased to present Mr. Steve Gleason individually and the entire Team Gleason organization with this prestigious Good Samaritan Award.