HOUSTON COUPLE TO CO-CHAIR MDA’s
ALS DIVISION FOR SECOND YEAR

TUCSON, Ariz., Dec. 17, 2004 — Christopher and Reda Rice of Houston will serve a second term as co-chairpersons of the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s ALS Division.

During 2005, the couple will continue to promote awareness of MDA’s leading efforts in the fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease) through public appearances, media interviews, speaking engagements and public service announcements.

ALS destroys the nerve cells controlling muscles in healthy adults, ultimately causing complete paralysis while leaving mental function intact. Survival is typically two to five years after diagnosis, and no cure exists.

Christopher Rice, 39, received a diagnosis of ALS in October 2001. The neuromuscular disease has slurred his speech and affected his strength and mobility.

As ALS Division co-chairpersons for MDA, the couple’s mission is to communicate to the public the urgent need for a cure for ALS, and to urge donations to support MDA’s worldwide scientific effort to eradicate the disease.

Since being named co-chairpersons in March, the Rices have appeared on the national broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, and have been featured in MDA’s national ALS Awareness Month public service announcement campaign (video and print). They’ve also given several media interviews.

“Chris and Reda illustrate why it’s urgent that we stop ALS in its tracks,” MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis said. “By sharing their personal experience with this devastating disease, this beautiful family powerfully communicates the urgency of MDA’s mission to defeat ALS and the vital importance of MDA’s services to families like theirs.”

Rice continues to work for Lincoln Property Co., a Houston management firm. He and his wife, who live in a northwest Houston suburb, have three children: Tori, 8, Mason, 6, and Shelby, 5.

“We’re honored to speak on behalf of the individuals and families whose lives have been dramatically altered by ALS,” Rice said. “We’re also proud to be working with MDA, a great organization that’s given our family vital support while aggressively searching for a cure.”

Reda Rice added, “If we can help raise awareness about ALS, give hope to those with ALS and raise money for research, we will be a step closer.”

MDA has been vitally active in ALS research and services for half a century, and has invested more than $155 million in its unparalleled ALS program to date, thanks to donations from the American public.

MDA’s ALS program includes grants to leading researchers worldwide, and medical care at some 235 hospital-affiliated MDA clinics and 33 MDA/ALS research and clinical centers across the country. People with more than 40 other neuromuscular diseases also are treated at MDA clinics.

MDA also assists people with ALS through help with purchase and repair of wheelchairs, purchase of augmentative alternative communication devices, support groups, expert-led seminars, an ALS Web site (www.als-mda.org) and ALS-specific chat rooms (www.mda.org/chat).

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