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Join the Brigance Brigade
Longtime Baltimore football fixture O.J. Brigance is currently fighting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and he wants you to join the cause against this debilitating illness through his foundation, Brigance’s Brigade.
As a player, the former linebacker spent seven seasons in the NFL after a standout career in Canadian football. Brigance even won a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens in 2001 (fans would remember Brigance making the special teams tackle on the opening kickoff).
As a front office member, Brigance put together a stellar development system for the Ravens, even earning the award for the league’s Best Overall Player Development Program for the past two years and Most Outstanding Internship Program in 2005.
ALS is a typically-fatal illness - more commonly known as Lou Gherig’s disease - that progressively shuts down nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The worst effects are seen in muscle control and movement, eventually leading to paralysis while the brain continues to function.
But even while coping with ALS, Brigance’s trademark smile and upbeat demeanor haven’t diminished around the halls of Ravens headquarters.
Brigance knows the truths about ALS but he simply refuses to give up, much like he did when he heard the word “No” from all but two NFL teams when he originally attempted to break into the league.
Even as a player that always did better than expected, he always preferred to stay in the background. Now, Brigance is seeking out the spotlight to bring more awareness to his disease.
In addition to the Brigance Brigade, O.J. has signed on as an ambassador for the Johns Hopkins University Packard Center, which researches ALS and is serving as the honorary chairman for the Packard Center Fiesta 5K & Fun Run on May 3.
If you would like to help Brigance’s Brigade battle ALS, you can make a tax deductible donation online or by mailing your donation with ‘The Brigance Brigade Fund’ in the memo payable to:
Baltimore Community Foundation
2 East Read Street, 9th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-332-4171
Also, you can participate in the Fiesta 5K & Fun Run by registering online for O.J.’s official Brigance Brigade team.
Brigance has been an inspiration to everyone within the Ravens’ organization and many around Baltimore, so please help support this worthy cause!
“O.J. is one of the most amazing people that I’ve met,” said Ravens president Dick Cass. “When he comes into a room, he lights it up with his smile. I’ve never seen anyone face a challenge that he’s facing with such enormous courage and grace.”
Dear Mr. Brigance
First of all let me say what a hero you are while living with ALS. My family and I learned of this mysterious disease last year.We are extremely close family living, due to our parents being in the military we traveled alot, but always remaind close either by phone or frequent vists. My brother began telling us of frequent falling for no apparent reason while simply walking, or reaching for a glass only to watch it slip through his grip and shatter.We became concerned as these events became more frequent.Finally after numerous tests and consultations, he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig Disease! as we assisted him and encouraged him to keep strong, know that he is loved and we were there for him, in the end ALS took him away too soon. If I can describe how we personally feel at this time.. I would have to use the word: recipe because we are devastated how progressive this disease takes over, angry that we were unable to stop the progression, due to difficult breathing/swallowing and etc, calm to know that he is no longer suffering, and bitter of what we may have overlooked in his treatments. This is a difficult time for us all and knowing that you are out there promoting awareness and moving forward is a blessing. I and my family are lost without him but will be signing up for newsletters and donations to help find a cure for ALS. May god continue to bless you and your family and all the work you are doing... what an angel. Thank you for your time in this matter.
Sincerly,
Belinda Dunbar
Everytime I hear you, I go like Wow ! You can smile and still go through all that pain. You are truly a huge inspiration on and off the turf. If you can do that and still accomplish greater things in life, then I'm extremely proud of you and your resolve to succeed. These are the small things in life which you live and fight everyday for. These are the moments which take you full circle.
god Bless,
Deepak
O.J.
You are still the inspirational fighter you've always been. When there was a doubt, you always found a way to make people believers. It is great to see that someone like you is fighting the fight and educating our community. You are in our prayers always and we're all cheering you on! I wish you the best and will do what I can to support your cause. Your spirit and drive are an excellent example of living the life and never giving up. Take care and know that the Houston folk are cheering on this end (even though we may be hard to hear).
My name is Cori Johnson I grew up with OJ I consider him family even though we have not spoken in some years I have always followed his progression to the NFL and I was very proud of him when he won the Super Bowl but not as proud as I am of him now, and you can best believe if anybody can beat this disease it's OJ. May GOD bless you brother.
Watching you in the video, hearing your voice, listening to your spirit I couldn't help but think of my son Ben who, while living with ALS for 7 years, created a magnificent legacy for all of us in his film 'Indestructible.' I wish you could have met each other in person, but you can meet him through the film. I hope you'll go to the website, www.indestructiblefilm.com , view the trailer, read Ben's blog. My heart is with you. I pray you'll be the one to reap the benefit of the illusive cure that we will absolutely find one day soon. You are truly a magnificent man.
Barbara Byer
ALS WORLDWIDE
barbyer@alsworldwide.org
Your website is the best I've found for sharing information about ALS with my kids. I've been living with ALS for four years. It's been quite the journey for our family. Thanks for your contribution to the cause.
OJ, you are a very strong man. You are very kind and generous. I hate that you have a ALS, but alot of people do beat their condition. I have seen alot of people who have beaten their conditions, but you have the strongest drive of any of them. You can beat your condition OJ! Though you do not know me, I love you like a brother. I will donate to your great foundation, and I will also pray for you. You will always be on my mind and in my heart.
Sincerely,
bryan14
O.J.,
I SAW YOUR STORY ON ESPN TONIGHT (SUN) ABOUT YOUR ALS. I TOO HAVE ALS FOR THIRTEEN YEARS NOW AND I UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT YOUR ARE GOING THRU. I AM IMPRESSED THAT YOU CONTINUE TO WORK AND HAVE NOT GIVEN UP. IF YOUR ARE LIKE ME WORK IS YOUR THERAPY.
I WAS FIRST TOLD IN DEC. OF 1995 AFTER THE FIRST OF FOUR EMG'S THAT I HAD ALS. I AM LUCKY THAT I AM STILL ABLE TO WALK WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF A THREE WHEELED WALKER. I TOO CONTINUE TO WORK AS WELL. I AM A TOLL COLLECTOR ON THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE.
PLEASE KEEP UP YOUR GOOD FIGHT AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU IN D.C. FOR ADVOCACY DAYS MAY 10-12.
JOE HREZO
I met Stan Charles 2 years ago at an Orioles game. I was diagnosed Jan 2006. I have a website to Encourage those and families with ALS www.wtlpc.com
There is another helpful site patientslikeme.
How are you doing. I am in my third year. I have the diaphram stimulator and it is working.
I watched your video and know we share and are brothers through Jesus Christ.
I met Stan Charles 2 years ago at Orioles game. I have ALS diagnosed in Jan 06. He recently e-mailed me your name, I hope this gets to you directly. I have a website www.wtlpc.com to help people with ALS.
Where are you affected? My phone number is 386-446-8221 I live in Palm Coast Florida
I met Stan Charles 2 years ago at Orioles game. I have ALS diagnosed in Jan 06. He recently e-mailed me your name, I hope this gets to you directly. I have a website www.wtlpc.com to help people with ALS.
Where are you affected? My phone number is 386-446-8221 I live in Palm Coast Florida
I met Stan Charles 2 years ago at Orioles game. I have ALS diagnosed in Jan 06. He recently e-mailed me your name, I hope this gets to you directly. I have a website www.wtlpc.com to help people with ALS.
Where are you affected? My phone number is 386-446-8221 I live in Palm Coast Florida
PROTEST 11/11/08
http://schemera.blogspot.com/2008/10/team-iplex.html LOU GEHRIG’S DISEASE DEMONSTRATION!
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2008
10AM to 4PM
U.S. Capitol Building West Front Lawn (handicapped accessible), WASHINGTON, D.C.
ALS Patients Protest Legal Dispute Preventing Access to Life-Saving Drug
GENENTECH-TERCICA*-INSMED: RELEASE IPLEX NOW!
Support patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease) now by joining our demonstration to force Genentech, Tercica and Insmed to resolve their legal dispute and release IPLEX to provide symptom relief for this horrible disease. We are calling on all persons with ALS, caregivers, friends, family, media and others to join us in protesting this devastating travesty of justice.
IPLEX is a biomedical pharmaceutical that reduces the symptoms for ALS patients and provides significant relief and improvements, a previously unheard-of achievement although not specifically developed for that purpose. Despite that, on March 7, 2007, a settlement agreement between Genentech, Tercica and Insmed removed IPLEX from ALS patients in the US and throughout the world, with the exception of Italian ALS patients, a cruel settlement exclusion. While Italian ALS patients benefit from IPLEX, the rest of the ALS world suffers debilitation, deprivation and death.
IPLEX is an improved version of Increlex, a drug originally intended to improve severe short growth stature. While both drugs accomplish that to a greater or lesser degree, only IPLEX significantly improves the quality of life for ALS patients. Despite that, persons with ALS lost access to IPLEX and are offered Increlex. After many months of usage, it is clear that IPLEX is the only drug that offers the greatest possible benefit to ALS patients. Nevertheless, it remains unavailable due to the greed of Genentech, Tercica and Insmed, all of whom agreed to this immoral settlement agreement in the name of corporate and personal profit.
Attempts to procure IPLEX have failed, despite continuous contact with the CEO’s of all three corporations, media, judiciary, attorneys, Senators, Representatives and other government officials. Each blames or points to the other. No one takes responsibility for this travesty.
Public demonstration is now the only recourse left to the ALS community.
ALS robs its victims of all voluntary muscles, sentencing its victims to what is called “a brief life in a glass coffin” and death within 2 to 4 years. IPLEX is the only drug yet developed that significantly slows and in some cases reverses this devastating disease.
Our hope is this demonstration will alert the public, our congress and the media to help force Genentech, Tercica and Insmed to release IPLEX. Join us in this critical effort. Help make IPLEX available to ALS patients to improve the quality of their lives, for however long that is.
Scientific and demonstration activity details are attached. For further information, please contact:
Andrea Reimers, RN
Email: andyvaughn@roadrunner.com
Tel: 805-497-9844
Or
Kathy Thompson
Email: quiltersdreambatting@juno.com
Tel: 757-407-9860
Or
Stephen Byer
Email: bsbyer@mhtc.net
Tel: 608-698-4200
Hey OJ !!
When I found out about ALS and what it can do to a person, it's heartbreaking. But if anybody can beat this, it's you OJ !!
I remember the days of hanging out at the BC Lions practice field day after day watching the team practice. I remember about 15 years ago when you came to my school and talked to my Sports Admin class on the business side of the sports world. I remember you getting the whole BC Lions team to sign a football for me for my dad's birthday. I remember playing football with the players after practice.
But what I remember the most, is the big heart and the big smile. You have touched so many lives OJ. You have been an inspiration to the sports world.
You will always be a hero to everybody you come into contact with !!!
Bc Lions Fan aka Ramona
I'm hoping all the people affected by this disease will read the book "the autoimmune epidemic". My Hopkins neurologist wrote the forward/intro to the book. I have MS.
I want people to know they MUST seek naturopathic help. If at the very least, to help with symptoms and slow progression. Info supporting this is in the book, written by a reasearcher who was stricken with Aspberger's syndrome. These diseases are not just genetic flukes or some nasty destiny. I am having amazing results with the help of my naturopath. So many improvements in my general health, that my GP wrote prescriptions for me to be able to pay for my visits and supplements with my flexible spending account. She couldn't argue with the dramatic changes in my bloodwork. A reduction from "out of control" in my symptoms to near nothing is just the start of this. You have to give yourself every chance within your power and control. We can't control the environment, but we can control what goes in our mouth and how we handle our bodies. My neuro. originally said my efforts with this kind of therapy was contradicting what he was trying to do (suppress my immune system), and now he's on board - writing that intro for the book. I'm wishing hope and help for all of you/us! Is see a great Naturopath in New Market that cured herself of Lupus and Rheumatoid (sp?) arthritis - now a ballroom dancer at 73!
I admire your dedication to the cause of finding a cure for als
The site has certainly brought to my attention how devastating als can be.
We enjoyed watching you as a player with the BC Lions and support you in your cause.
If anyone can beat als you certainly can.
Derek
Vancouver BC
I think we should march to Washington and demand that we are given Iplex.
It is the only known drug that has been proven to improve the quality of life to those that have been diagnosed with this devastating disease. The fact that Iplex is being denied to those that so desperately need it is disgraceful and one has to wonder what has become of us as a society that we would stand by and allow such an injustice to occur. Those that are allowing the suffering to continue in order to continue to line their pockets should hang their heads in shame and I do pray that God will show them more mercy than they have shown their fellow human beings. It sickens me that there is such pure evil in the world. God bless all of those that are fighting this battle and I am in this fight until justice and our rights prevail.
O.J., it is a privilege to add my comments to your site. You are inspiring so many people by leading the way with your courage and your heart. As the widower from this disease, co-founder of MDA's Wings Over Wall Street®, and a proud member of the Packard Center's Board of Govenors I also want to thank you for joining us in finding a cure for this horrible disease. We are honored to have you on our team, as The Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at John's Hopkins continues the momentum in our fight against ALS. Your ability to think of and work for the benefit of others during such a difficult personal time has set a standard for others to emulate. Many thanks for all you are doing!
Wishing you a cure soon, the support you need, and the love that you deserve while on this journey.
All my best to you and your family,
Warren Schiffer
I happened to be changing channels when I stopped at the mention of ALS on the NFL channel. These small letters always stop me and I have to listen. After hearing your story I decided to check out your website. I appreciate your openess and courage about battling this dreadful disease.
I know all too much about ALS because my father was diagnosed with ALS many years ago. Although my father lost his battle with ALS over 13 years ago, when I hear of someone young and energetic as yourself...it makes my cry. He battled this disease over ten years on a respirator, it was very hard not to communicate verbally and physically with my father. As a family, we had just started a closer relationship with him, since we were now adults with our own families. I felt I was robbed of the chance to share new memories with him.
I pray for you and your family who have who can only watch while nothing can be done about this disease. I pray for a cure and I pray you stay strong and let's beat this!!!!
Teresa Cooper
O.J.
You're an admiration to all. I admire you to no end. I'm currently battling Diabetes now for 15 years. It's a hard transition and reality to take in. I know it has no comparison to what you're going through, but I STILL have hope. Recently, my brother attended church, (7th day adventis)and a speaker, whom is a member, whom is diabetic, was up there looking the best he's looked in years! His sermon was how he "reversed" the effects of Diabetes. From taking 120 units of insulin a day, to nothing at the present. In just approx. 90 days, he has beatin' the disease!
Doctors have called to interview him etc...astounded at his recovery. It all has to do with his change in lifestyle and the foods in which he eats. He also made comment that not only Diabetes, but other illnesses/diseases as well. He heard about this remarkable discovery in a book. The 30-Day Diabetes Miracle: Lifestyle Center of America's Complete Program to Stop Diabetes, Restore Health,and Build Natur ...
Also :The 30-Day Diabetes Miracle Cookbook: Stop Diabetes with an Easy-to-Follow Plant-Based, Carb-Counting Diet. I ordered these books and trust it will be the change of my life. After seeing how this man looked over a year ago, and seeing him now, this is truley a miracle! You might want to look into this. It can't hurt OJ. Who knows, God works in mysterious ways. It's ironic that I heard of this story just last week, and saw an interview with you this morning. Maybe, just maybe, this was meant to be. God Bless you and your strength,determination, will and faith to endure these trouble times in your life!
Chuck Terzian
Stay strong. God can help you overcome all. It takes a tremendous man to approach this with such a great attitude.Keep living life to the fullest and KEEP FIGHTING. God bless.
O.J. -
Just briefly, I realize that the medical community has not identified the cause of ALS. However, some beleive that viruses may play a role in ALS so I thought I should share this information with you. A medical device to immobilize harmful viruses (THAT HAS A UNITED STATES PATENT) has been invented and is discussed in a new book! (ISBN 978-0-9727627-7-9) If you would like to know more, just request the press release at apressrelease@yahoo.com. (Press Release in the PDF format)
God's Speed!
ksb
Our prayers are with you OJ. I was given the same diagnosis 2 years ago after returning from Iraq. Keep hope alive, don't lose faith.
Marc (combat vet)
O.J. Watching your story brought tears to my eyes - not out of sorrow, which is something that I certainly felt. Instead, the seeing the incredible human spirit that you have touched me - you make proud to be a fellow human and you challenge me to do more with my life. I confess to being a season ticket holder of the Pittburgh Steelers, but the next Ravens game that I attend in Pittsburgh I'll be wearing a Ravens #57 jersey. I wish you all the best and I certainly plan to help in this fight. God bless.
O.J.- My daughter and I watched your story tonight and want you to know that your strength and courage is something we will never forget! We think about you and Chanda often and will keep you both in our prayers! If anyone can fight and beat this it's you! Our family will do whatever we can to help in this fight! Much love to you all! The Fisch Family!
oj, saw the nfl network piece.
very touching.
you are truly an inspiration,
stay strong, izzo
i was very touched too, keep fighting oj
Dear Sir...Your an inspiration to myself. I am not able to help financially at this moment, but I wanted to pass along some information about a drug that is being touted to help your situation. It is called Iplex and is currently being used in Italy I am told. If you havent already done so, it might be worth your while for you or your teammates to do some research on it. It is my understanding that the company that manufactures it is seeking approval to administer it to people with ALS in the US.
Wishing you the best,
Admirer