Börje Salming’s diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis sent shockwaves through the hockey world.
Former Toronto teammate Mark Kirton, who himself has ALS, called Salming in late July — two weeks before the diagnosis became known to the public.
The disease is 80 years old, and given how quickly a vaccine against Covid has been found, one wonders if enough research has been done on ALS, Kirton tells the Toronto Sun.
The Canadian newspaper wrote that Mark Kirton called Salming after the Swede received his diagnosis at the end of July.
When a hockey player as famous as Bure gets a diagnosis, he gets more attention than usual, says Kirton and continues:
– Mike Gartner (was also in Toronto previously) and I talked about Börje today and Mike said he wasn’t sure what ALS was even before I had it.
“There is no doubt that there is a risk factor”
Kirton himself received his diagnosis in 2018 and is currently in a wheelchair. He is an active supporter of more and better efforts in ALS research, as well as regarding the relationship between the disease and contact sports.
There is no doubt that there is a risk factor. But at the same time, many of those affected by the disease have not played any elite-level sports or even suffered concussions. There is a lot to search.
Kirton criticizes the latter.
The disease is 80 years old, and given the speed with which a vaccine against Covid has been found, one wonders if enough research has been done on ALS.