Over the past few months on GENERAL HOSPITAL, Alexis has been a big supporter of Gregory’s, as she was the first person in Port Charles whom he told about his ALS diagnosis. We can only imagine that the soap storyline hits a bit close to home for Alexis’ portrayer, Nancy Lee Grahn, who recently revealed on social media that her “very good, sweet friend” Michelle Strojny is also battling the disease.
Since the moment Strojny was diagnosed in 2018, “she’s been fighting for her life with nothing but grace, dignity, and positivity,” Grahn proudly shared of her friend. “And at the same time, she’s also been fighting for everybody else with ALS through raising awareness through her fundraising, all to find a cure.
Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS breaks down a body’s nerve cells, progressively weakening muscles and impacting a person’s physical capabilities. While medication and therapy can slow down the progress of ALS and ease a patient’s discomfort, there is no known cure. “ALS is not incurable; it’s just underfunded,” the GH star insisted. “We need to do better. We need to work harder.”
Sending out a plea to her followers, Grahn invited them to check out the fundraiser that Strojny has hosted “every year since she was diagnosed.” Strojny and her loved ones began the Rise Against ALS mission to advocate for patients and raise awareness about the disease. The organization also raises funds for research and care, specifically for ALS ONE and the Healey Center for ALS at Massachusetts General Hospital. The signature event for Rise Against ALS is a “Through the Decades Dance Party” fundraiser, which raised nearly $25,000 last year.
This year’s Decades Dance fundraiser will be held on Saturday, September 30, at the Middleboro Elks Lodge in Middleboro, MA. “If you can’t buy a ticket, see if you can donate,” suggested Grahn. “Let’s help Michelle find a cure for ALS.”
