Abby Hammes Visits Washington, D.C. With ALS Awareness Group | O'Keeffe O'Brien Lyson Attorneys

Abby Hammes Visits Washington, D.C. With ALS Awareness Group

Abby Hammes, a paralegal at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys, recently spent six days in Washington, D.C. as part of the MN/ND/SD Chapter of the ALS Association. Abby’s mother, Renee Bernier, was diagnosed with ALS in January 2015. Pictured below are Abby and her mother with the North Dakota delegates of the Association.

ND delegates of MN-ND-SD Chapter of the ALS Association with the chapter Executive Director

Together, they took part in the ALS Public Policy Conference and Advocacy Day. They were involved in sessions on May 14th and 15th and heard presentations and panel discussions led by researchers, ALS experts, and congressional staffers, all of whom discussed recent changes and progress made in ALS research and programs. In addition, there was a presentation about the recently FDA-approved ALS drug, which is the first one in 22 years approved for treatment of the disease.

ND delegates meeting with Senator John Hoeven

On May 16th, the group met with staffers of Senator Heitkamp, Senator Hoeven, and Representative Cramer, asking for their continued support for government program development.

Established in 1985, the ALS Association is the only national non-profit organization fighting Lou Gehrig’s Disease on every front. The association leads the way in research, care services, public education and public policy – giving help and hope to those facing the disease.

We’re glad Abby had the chance to take part in this conference with her mother, and we wish her the best as she continues to support combatting this disease!