Member of Zac Brown Band on health battle: ALS is 'massively' underfunded

Successful people advocating for causes

When celebrities and other successful people speak out about their health challenges, it can bring much-needed attention to important causes. One example is John Driskell Hopkins, a member of the Zac Brown Band, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2021. Since then, he has been using his platform to raise awareness about the disease and advocate for increased funding for research.

What is ALS?

ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurological disease that affects the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. These neurons are responsible for sending signals from the brain to the muscles, and when they are damaged, the muscles gradually weaken and atrophy. ALS is a fatal disease, and there is currently no cure.

The need for increased funding

Research into ALS is essential for finding new treatments and, ultimately, a cure. However, funding for ALS research is woefully inadequate. In the United States, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) allocates less than $100 million per year to ALS research. This is a small fraction of the funding that is allocated to other diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.

What can be done?

There are several things that can be done to increase funding for ALS research: * **Increase government funding:** The NIH could increase its funding for ALS research by allocating a larger percentage of its budget to the disease. * **Encourage private donations:** Individuals and organizations can donate money to ALS research organizations, such as the ALS Association and the John Driskell Hopkins ALS Foundation. * **Raise awareness:** Raising awareness about ALS can help to increase public pressure on the government and private sector to provide more funding for research.

Conclusion

ALS is a devastating disease that affects thousands of people every year. Increased funding for research is essential for finding new treatments and, ultimately, a cure. By speaking out about his own health battle, John Driskell Hopkins is helping to raise awareness about ALS and advocate for increased funding for research.