Richard Olney
Sanofi-aventis, maker of Rilutek, the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), proudly agreed to provide financial support in the amount of $125,000 to establish the Richard K. Olney Lectureship.
Olney, now a nationally known figure, has dedicated his life to finding a cure for ALS. Ironically, in June 2004, he was diagnosed with ALS. Now, with the help of this lectureship, Olney's dedication to ALS will continue and he will always be remembered for his work in neuromuscular diseases.
ALS, a neuromuscular disorder, more commonly known as "Lou Gehrig's disease," strikes one out of every 50,000 Americans each year, giving any individual a one in 1,000 risk of being diagnosed during his or her lifetime. Life expectancy of ALS patients averages two to five years after diagnosis.
The Richard K. Olney Lectureship was announced at the annual meeting of the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) on Sept. 23 in Monterey. Olney was on hand to personally acknowledge the establishment of the lectureship in his name.
"We are delighted that we will be able to honor Rick this way," said Dr. Gary Goldberg, AANEM president. "He has been an inspiration to all of us and, through his willingness to go public with his diagnosis of ALS with such candor, has raised everyone's awareness of this devastating disease."
Olney is currently a subject in a clinical trial that he designed, to determine if one of two existing drugs can extend life expectancy. Olney refused to insist that he be guaranteed the drug that could possibly prolong his life, and therefore he could be receiving a placebo in the trial. Olney is currently in a powered wheelchair and has the ability to speak with the aid of a computer. His courage lifts the spirits of those around him every day.
Olney has touched the lives all over the world of physicians and patients who have worked with him, learned from him, been inspired by him, and been cared for by him. Articles about Olney's fight against ALS have been written in People magazine, USA Today, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Los Angeles Times, Associated Press and local newspapers across the United States, and his story has been aired on "ABC World News Tonight," "20/20" and CNN.
The lectureship will celebrate Olney's life and continue his work of educating physicians, as well as keep his memory and goals alive for years to come. Olney is a distinguished member of the AANEM, and served as a member of the board of directors of both the AANEM Foundation and AANEM. The AANEM is honored that it can do something to perpetuate Olney's work.
With nearly 5,000 physician members, the AANEM, headquartered in Rochester, Minn., is the largest organization worldwide that is dedicated to advancing neuromuscular, musculoskeletal and electrodiagnostic medicine.
Source: American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM)
