Country music fans received unfortunate news late last week, with Fox News reporting that singer John Driskell Hopkins has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Hopkins is a founding member of the group Zac Brown Band, and he appeared in a video that was released on Friday in which he explained his condition.
An important video announcement from our brother @johndhopkins. Let’s #HopOnACure for ALS, together. Text HOP to 345-345 or visit https://t.co/Tl4rk2lR9Y to make a donation and learn more. @hoponacure pic.twitter.com/XbCdLuLAYK
— Zac Brown Band (@zacbrownband) May 20, 2022
Singer has hopes
“I have tough news to share, and my brothers and sister have gathered to support me,” the 51-year-old musician began.
“Over the past several years, I’ve noticed some balance issues and some stiffness in my hands. After careful analysis by some of the country’s top neurologists, I have been diagnosed with ALS,” Hopkins continued.
“Because my symptoms have been slow progressing from the start, we believe they will continue to be slow progressing going forward,” he stated. “God willing, I plan to be rocking with these amazing people for many years to come.”
“The technology and research around ALS treatments has been advancing, but we still don’t have a cure,” Hopkins pointed out, adding, “Thanks so much for your prayers and helping us cure ALS.”
Non-profit to fight ALS
Fox News noted that the singer concluded by touting Hopkins’ #HopOnACure program, a non-profit that he founded to fight ALS.
“Hop On A Cure is committed to supporting research to prevent, reverse, and cure ALS while raising awareness, building a compassionate community, and unleashing the healing power of hope,” the organization’s website reads.
“ALS is a neurological disease that affects the nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement (the muscles we have conscious control over). The disease is progressive, meaning the symptoms get worse over time,” it continues.
The website points out that those who suffer from ALS “lose their strength and the ability to control those voluntary muscle movements which include speaking, eating, mobility, and even breathing.”
“Although the disease can strike at any age, symptoms most commonly develop between the ages of 55 and 75. For unknown reasons, men are more likely than women to develop ALS.”