Charles "Chuck" Gunther, Cody, WY
Kevin Brady, Denver, COThe Muscular Dystrophy Association has named Charles "Chuck" Gunther of Cody the recipient of its 2010 Robert Ross Personal Achievement Award for Wyoming and Kevin Brady of Denver the recipient for Colorado.
About Charles "Chuck" Gunther
About Charles "Chuck" Gunther
Gunther, 45, was selected for MDA's highest achievement award in Wyoming for his work on behalf of others with disabilities and his determination to "put a face" on his muscle disease.
Gunther has ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease). ALS destroys the nerves that control all voluntary muscles, eventually resulting in paralysis. Average survival time after diagnosis for most people is three to five years. Chuck learned he has ALS in January 2009. Still ambulatory, Chuck is experiencing decreasing arm and hand strength, and his speech is slurred.
Gunther was a ranch hand, hunting guide and dude ranch manager for nearly 20 years in Wyoming and Colorado. He and his wife managed the 7D Dude Ranch outside of Cody. In 2010 Chuck retired as manager of the 7D Dude Ranch. Chuck also retired from his position on the local volunteer fire department, but not before receiving his firefighter 1 certification.
Since his diagnosis, Gunther has made frequent public appearances throughout the state, raising awareness of ALS and the need to find a cure for the disease. He has participated in ALS drug trials and helps MDA in its fundraising efforts.
Gunther has ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease). ALS destroys the nerves that control all voluntary muscles, eventually resulting in paralysis. Average survival time after diagnosis for most people is three to five years. Chuck learned he has ALS in January 2009. Still ambulatory, Chuck is experiencing decreasing arm and hand strength, and his speech is slurred.
Gunther was a ranch hand, hunting guide and dude ranch manager for nearly 20 years in Wyoming and Colorado. He and his wife managed the 7D Dude Ranch outside of Cody. In 2010 Chuck retired as manager of the 7D Dude Ranch. Chuck also retired from his position on the local volunteer fire department, but not before receiving his firefighter 1 certification.
Since his diagnosis, Gunther has made frequent public appearances throughout the state, raising awareness of ALS and the need to find a cure for the disease. He has participated in ALS drug trials and helps MDA in its fundraising efforts.
About Kevin Brady
Brady, 55, was selected as the recipient for Colorado for his work in advancing medical technology and assistive technology for people with disabilities. Brady will accept the award during the local broadcast of the 2010 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon on September 5 or 6 on CW Channel 2 in Denver.
In April 2007, Brady learned he also has ALS. Brady uses a power wheelchair for mobility and a ventilator to help him breathe.
For more than 20 years, Brady was an ophthalmologist in Denver specializing in retinal disease. He was a strong advocate of research to define new and innovative retinal surgeries, author of books and papers in his field and a frequent presenter. Since his ALS diagnosis in 2007, and as his disease symptoms have progressed, he has volunteered to test new types of assistive technology from a patient's perspective.
"I'm very pleased to recognize Chuck Gunther and Kevin Brady as the Robert Ross MDA Personal Achievement Award recipients for 2010 for Wyoming and Colorado, respectively," said MDA President & CEO Gerald C. Weinberg. "Their work is a real asset to their local communities, and an example of the kind of leadership MDA is proud to support."
About the award
One person will be selected from among all the state honorees around the country and named MDA's national 2011 Robert Ross Personal Achievement Award recipient. The national award recipient will be announced on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, broadcast Sept. 5-6.
The award is named in memory of Robert Ross, MDA's longtime chief executive who died in 2006. Ross created the Personal Achievement Award program in 1992 to recognize the exemplary accomplishments and community service of people who have any of the more than 40 neuromuscular diseases for which MDA seeks treatments and cures.
John Quinlan, a medical doctor from Lakeside Park, Ky., is MDA's 2010 national award recipient. Quinlan, who has facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, also is director of the MDA clinic at the University of Cincinnati.
MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.
In the Rocky Mountain Region, MDA maintains clincis at The Children's Hospital, University of Colorado and the MDA/ALS Center at the University of Colorado, all in Aurora, Co.
Brady, 55, was selected as the recipient for Colorado for his work in advancing medical technology and assistive technology for people with disabilities. Brady will accept the award during the local broadcast of the 2010 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon on September 5 or 6 on CW Channel 2 in Denver.
In April 2007, Brady learned he also has ALS. Brady uses a power wheelchair for mobility and a ventilator to help him breathe.
For more than 20 years, Brady was an ophthalmologist in Denver specializing in retinal disease. He was a strong advocate of research to define new and innovative retinal surgeries, author of books and papers in his field and a frequent presenter. Since his ALS diagnosis in 2007, and as his disease symptoms have progressed, he has volunteered to test new types of assistive technology from a patient's perspective.
"I'm very pleased to recognize Chuck Gunther and Kevin Brady as the Robert Ross MDA Personal Achievement Award recipients for 2010 for Wyoming and Colorado, respectively," said MDA President & CEO Gerald C. Weinberg. "Their work is a real asset to their local communities, and an example of the kind of leadership MDA is proud to support."
About the award
One person will be selected from among all the state honorees around the country and named MDA's national 2011 Robert Ross Personal Achievement Award recipient. The national award recipient will be announced on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, broadcast Sept. 5-6.
The award is named in memory of Robert Ross, MDA's longtime chief executive who died in 2006. Ross created the Personal Achievement Award program in 1992 to recognize the exemplary accomplishments and community service of people who have any of the more than 40 neuromuscular diseases for which MDA seeks treatments and cures.
John Quinlan, a medical doctor from Lakeside Park, Ky., is MDA's 2010 national award recipient. Quinlan, who has facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, also is director of the MDA clinic at the University of Cincinnati.
MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.
In the Rocky Mountain Region, MDA maintains clincis at The Children's Hospital, University of Colorado and the MDA/ALS Center at the University of Colorado, all in Aurora, Co.
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