WS Chronicle

Washington, D.C. – The ALS Association  launched a new public awareness campaign that was the final wish of Winston-Salem resident Harrison Anderson, who died on December 29, 2018 from ALS.  The television PSA features Hall of Fame quarterback and FOX Sports announcer Terry Bradshaw, who speaks about ALS and the progress that has been made since the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in 2014.

“ALS is a terrible disease that has taken far too many Americans, including several former NFL players,” said Bradshaw. “I’m honored to be fighting for all those living with ALS and their family members. We desperately need the public’s support to keep the momentum going.”

ALS is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that causes muscle weakness, difficulty breathing and swallowing, and paralysis while leaving the senses intact. ALS is always fatal and there is no cure. 

Bradshaw started working with The ALS Association because of Anderson, a long-time Pittsburgh Steelers fan, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2016. He used his wish from the Dream Foundation to request a call from Bradshaw. On that call, Anderson asked Bradshaw to consider doing a public service announcement for ALS. Anderson died only weeks after Bradshaw filmed the PSAs. Fortunately, Harrison got to see the videos before he passed and he was thrilled with them.

“Even though I didn’t know Harrison, I knew from that first phone call with him that I wanted to help,” Bradshaw said. “My wife and I have traveled to North Carolina to meet Harrison and his wife, and we are so touched that he asked us to join the fight against ALS. We are heartbroken that he passed, and our prayers go out to Robin and his family.”

Before he died, Anderson said Bradshaw is just like he appears on TV. “Terry Bradshaw was always a role model that I looked up to, and I thought he would be a perfect fit for ALS,” said Anderson. “For him to be a part of this shows he’s exactly the kind of person I expected him to be. We are both humbled by Terry and Tammy’s generosity and kindness.”

Calaneet Balas, President and CEO of The ALS Association, said: “We’re honored and thrilled that Terry has been so willing to help raise awareness of ALS and it’s such a great story of how it all came together. We are all deeply saddened that Harrison passed, but so grateful that he reached out and got things started. He had an impact in this fight and our thoughts are with Robin and his family.”

There are several prominent former NFL players living with ALS, including Steve Gleason, O.J. Brigance, Tim Shaw, and Tim Green, who recently discussed his own diagnosis with the disease on 60 Minutes. Last June, former Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers receiver Dwight Clark died after his battle with ALS.

For more information about The ALS Association, visit our website at www.alsa.org.