Nany O’Dell

The announcement was made in conjunction with the start of National ALS Awareness Month. In her new role, O’Dell will raise awareness of MDA’s fight against ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease) through media interviews, public appearances and public service announcements.

In June 2008, ALS claimed the life of O’Dell’s mother, Betty Humphries, who was 74. O’Dell joined MDA’s efforts to spur ALS research after her mother learned she had ALS in November 2007.

“It is an honor to be part of such a wonderful organization as MDA,” O’Dell said. “They were there every step of the way for me and my family after my mother’s diagnosis. My mom was such a beautiful person and, with MDA’s efforts, I feel that some day in the near future other families won’t have to go through what we did because a cure will be found.”

This Labor Day weekend, O’Dell will return for a second year as a co-host on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. She also serves as an MDA national vice president.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Nancy O’Dell as MDA National ALS Ambassador,” said MDA President and CEO Gerald Weinberg. “Her personal experience with this devastating disease, as well as her 13 years as the host of a popular newsmagazine show, will be great assets in communicating MDA’s determination to eradicate ALS.”