Based in Agoura Hills, the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the ALS Association is one of 41 chapters of the ALS Association, the only national nonprofit voluntary health organization devoted solely to the fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. A New York Yankees star ballplayer in the 1920s and 1930s known as "The Iron Man," Gehrig's death at the prime of his life put a face on the disease, a progressive neuromuscular disease with no known cause, prevention or cure.

The local chapter will stage its second annual "Walk to D'Feet ALS" on Sat., May 6 at Mission Park in Ventura. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. followed by opening ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. The walk gets underway at 10 a.m.

According to Giovanna D'Angelo, director of special events for the local chapter, the goal of the event is to raise funds for research and patient services for people with ALS. About 5,600

new cases of ALS are diagnosed annually, and the disease affects as many as 30,000 people in the U.S. each year, impacting the function of the nerves and muscles. People with ALS have an average life expectancy of two to five years from the time of diagnosis.

Walkers are asked to register for the Walk to D'Feet ALS by visiting the chapter's website at www.alsala.org or by calling the chapter office at (818) 865-8067, ext. 229.