CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- During the month of April, Zumba® Fitness' campaign benefiting Augie's Quest, "Together We Dance™ to Cure ALS," will be featured in a window display in Rockefeller Center. Augie's Quest is a fundraising initiative that supports the nonprofit, ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI), in its mission to discover and develop effective treatments to end ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. EHE International donated the display space to help Augie's Quest and ALS TDI raise awareness of ALS and encourage participation in Zumba's campaign to "make a move" to support and fund drug development for the disease.

An estimated 450,000 people globally are living with ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes muscle weakness, paralysis, and ultimately, respiratory failure. There is no effective treatment, and no cure.

Zumba's "Together We Dance to Cure ALS" campaign features three options to support Augie's Quest's mission to end ALS: attend a "Together We Dance to Cure ALS" Zumbathon® event in cities worldwide; purchase limited edition apparel and accessories; or make a donation.

Through the support of Zumba and other initiatives, Augie's Quest has raised nearly $40 million for ALS TDI since 2007 in support of finding effective ALS treatments. This has enabled scientists at ALS TDI to screen more than 100 molecules to see if they affected the progression of the disease, ultimately leading to a Phase II clinical trial that is currently ongoing on a potential treatment for the disease.

"Zumba has been a key global partner with Augie's Quest since the beginning, and we are honored to have their continued support," says Augie Nieto, who heads Augie's Quest and is chairman of the board at ALS TDI. "I know as people walk by the window display in Rockefeller Center, they too will be inspired to join in our fight against ALS."

"EHE is delighted to donate the window space at Rockefeller Center to help raise awareness of ALS and promote and encourage participation in funding research for treatments and a cure," says Deborah McKeever, President of EHE International.

For more information or to get involved in Zumba's "Together We Dance to Cure ALS" campaign benefiting Augie's Quest, please visit: www.zumba.com/togetherwedance.

About ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI)
The mission of the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) is to discover and develop effective treatments to end ALS as soon as possible. ALS TDI is the world's largest independent ALS/MND drug development-focused nonprofit organization. It currently has partnerships with dozens of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide in order to advance potential treatments into the clinic. Its lead ALS therapeutic candidate, Novartis' (Switzerland) Gilenya (TDI-132), is in Phase 2A clinical trial for ALS. For more information, visit www.als.net.

About EHE International
Established in 1913, EHE International is celebrating 100 years as the recognized leader in preventive medicine with the release of a new book, 100 Years of Preventive Health: The History of EHE International. EHE's clinical protocols are specifically designed for early detection of preventable disease and associated risk factors, supported by robust personal coaching and health management tools and resources. EHE International is the oldest and largest preventive medicine specialist, and its clinically based educational and social engagement platforms are the preferred choice among America's leading employers. For more information, contact EHE International, 10 Rockefeller Plaza, 4^th Floor, New York, New York 10020; 212.332.3700; visit www.eheintl.com.

Media Contact: Mari Sullivan, ALS TDI, 617-441-7220, [email protected]  

SOURCE EHE International