Honolulu — During national ALS Awareness Month in May, the Muscular Dystrophy Association wants to ensure that members of the public know the deadly effects of ALS and the importance of helping to defeat it. In Honolulu, MDA will sponsor it's eighth annual ALS seminar from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 3, at The Queen's Conference Center. The event will raise awareness about health services, research and information available from MDA's ALS Division.

Keynote speaker will be Hawaii born Dr. Justin Ichida, Harvard University Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology research scientist. He will present cutting edge research updates on "Patient-specific stem cells for regenerative medicine and disease modeling." Other speakers will include MDA clinic co-director Dr. Jayson Takata, and MDA health care services coordinator Jennifer Li. There will be demonstrations from local vendors in breakout rooms: Tax, Insurance, Legal, Travel and Medical Equipment.

ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease) is a devastating disorder that destroys the nerve cells that control voluntary muscles. Muscles grow progressively weaker until paralyzed, and death usually occurs within three to five years. The disease typically strikes adults in the prime of life. Its cause is unknown, and no cure has yet been found. For information about the seminar, call the MDA Honolulu office at 808-593-4454 or email jli@mdausa.org. For information about MDA's ALS Division, visit www.als-mda.org.