Washington, D.C. (August 21, 2019) — The ALS Association announced today that Ventec Life Systems is the newest corporate sponsor to commit to helping people with ALS and their caregivers to live their lives to the fullest. Ventec Life Systems has committed to the development and launch of comprehensive respiratory care educational resources to help people living with ALS and their caregivers make informed decisions about their health.
In addition to developing a comprehensive respiratory education program, Ventec and The ALS Association will provide ongoing education about integrated respiratory care including the recent ALS Association Care Services webinar, which reviewed the way integrated respiratory care can positively impact ALS treatment.
“Ventec’s founder, Doug DeVries, was inspired to create VOCSN after his father elected not to use mechanical ventilation following his ALS diagnosis,” said Chris Kiple, CEO of Ventec Life Systems. “VOCSN was developed by patients and caregivers to streamline care, extend quality life, and create every day mobility so that no patient would have to make the same decision as Doug’s dad. VOCSN is the first and only device that combines five pieces of respiratory equipment into a single, portable device, making the use of a ventilator and related therapies easier.”
“Ventec and The ALS Association are jointly committed to making educational resources accessible to people living with ALS and their families as they confront the most devastating aspects of this unrelenting disease,” said Tina Zeff, executive vice president of development at The ALS Association. “Due to burdens of mechanical ventilation with traditional equipment for both patients and caregivers, 90% of ALS patients elect not use a ventilator once their disease progresses. This is an especially meaningful partnership because it empowers people with ALS to make informed decisions about respiratory support as their disease progresses.”
Pat Quinn, co-founder of the Ice Bucket Challenge, which has raised awareness of ALS and hundreds of millions for ALS research, is one of the most recent people living with ALS to switch to VOCSN for his respiratory care needs. “Until there is a cure for ALS, technology like VOCSN is the cure. The ability to have all of the therapies in one, and switch between therapies with only one circuit, is a game changer for ALS patients, especially for those whose care needs change with ALS progression,” commented Pat. “The freedom and mobility afforded by VOCSN supports my active living, decreasing the burden of my respiratory needs for me and my caregivers.”
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Eventually, people with ALS lose the ability to initiate and control muscle movement, including the ability to breathe.
About Ventec and VOCSN
Ventec Life Systems is defining integrated respiratory care to improve patient outcomes and reduce caregiver challenges in the hospital and home. Ventec's leading product, VOCSN, is the first and only system that seamlessly integrates five devices - a critical care Ventilator, 6 L/min equivalent Oxygen concentrator, touch button Cough assist, hospital grade Suction, and a high- performance Nebulizer - into one unified respiratory system that is lightweight and mobile. VOCSN is fully customizable to meet patient needs. The Ventec team's history of patient-centric design includes more than 18 care changing respiratory devices and more than 40 patents. Learn more at VentecLife.com and connect with Ventec on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
About The ALS Association
The ALS Association is the largest private funder of ALS research in the world. The Association funds global research collaborations, provides assistance for people with ALS and their families through its nationwide network of chapters and certified clinical care centers, and advocates for better public policies for people with ALS. The ALS Association builds hope and enhances quality of life while urgently searching for new treatments and a cure. For more information about The ALS Association, visit our website at www.als.org.