A Resolution recognizing and supporting ALS, often known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, in Melrose for the Month of May 2026

Transcript (~4 min @ 1:14:57)

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▶ 1:14:56 Bradley Freeman: And this will go to Appropriations and Oversight. Moving on to filings by members of the honorable city council and resolutions.

▶ 1:15:05 Speaker 9: ID number 2026-835, a resolution recognizing and supporting ALS, often known as the Lou Gehrig's disease, in Melrose for the month of May 2026.

▶ 1:15:19 Speaker 11: Councilor Jamaleddine?

▶ 1:15:21 Maya Jamaleddine: Mr. President, I would like to request this as immediate consideration.

▶ 1:15:28 Bradley Freeman: There's a motion for immediate consideration made by Councilor Jamaleddine. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Councilor Romanul. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? That motion passes and the item is available for immediate consideration.

▶ 1:15:42 Maya Jamaleddine: Thank you. And I would like to turn it back to one of my co-sponsors, Councilor Romanul, to read the resolution.

▶ 1:15:53 Devin Romanul: Good evening. Thank you so much. I want to thank my colleagues for your co-sponsorship all. Whereas amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease or ALS, is a progressive fatal neurodegenerative disease in which a person's brain loses connection with their muscles, slowly reducing the person's ability to walk, talk, eat, and eventually breathe. And whereas thousands of new ALS cases are reported every single year, and estimates show that every 90 minutes, someone is diagnosed with ALS and someone passes away from ALS. And whereas on average, patients diagnosed with ALS survive only two to five years' time after diagnosis. Whereas the exact causes of ALS are unknown, and there is no known cure for ALS. Whereas people who have served in the military are more likely to develop ALS and die from the disease than those with no family history or military service. And whereas securing access to new therapies, durable medical equipment, and communication technologies is of vital importance to those living with ALS. Whereas clinical trials play a pivotal role in evaluating new treatments, enhancing quality of life, and fostering assistive technologies for those living with ALS. And whereas the ALS Association is the largest philanthropic funder of ALS research globally and has committed more than $154 million to support more than 550 projects across the United States and 18 other countries. And whereas the ALS Association is committed to making ALS livable and a cure for everyone, everywhere. And whereas ALS Awareness Month provides an opportunity to increase public awareness of the dire circumstances of people living with ALS, acknowledge the terrible impact that this disease have on those individuals and their families, and support research to eradicate this disease. And whereas the Melrose City Council do hereby proclaim the month of May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month, we call upon Americans to join in supporting ALS research, advocating for increased funding, and standing in solidarity with those affected by this relentless disease. And I'll just mention, I won't go on long, I'll just say, I'm grateful for your consideration, for my colleagues' co-sponsorship. This is a very personal issue for me. My mother-in-law died two years ago from ALS, and anyone who has a front row seat to a family member diagnosed with this or a family dealing with this, it changes you forever. And several members of my ward have either ALS or family members who are dealing with this or have dealt with this, and I know that that must be true in other neighborhoods in our city. So, for those who are watching tonight and wondering why we consider this, there is no cure. There are almost no known treatments, and the average family out-of-pocket cost is over a quarter of a million dollars. Even that's if you have insurance. And so, this just changes the trajectory of your life. And so even little bits of visibility can change this trajectory. See the Ice Bucket Challenge, what a big difference that made, hundreds of millions of dollars of research and assistance. And that, just take it from me as someone who was along for the ride for a couple of years on this, and a family dealing with this, it just makes such a big difference. So I'm so appreciative of your consideration. Thank you for your support.

▶ 1:19:03 Bradley Freeman: Thank you, Chair Romanul. What is the will of the council?

▶ 1:19:05 Maya Jamaleddine: I'd like to make motion to recommend.

▶ 1:19:09 Bradley Freeman: Second. Motion to recommend to place on file, made by Councilor Jamaleddine, seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro. On discussion? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? That motion is passed and that item is placed on file.