Maple Leafs Legend Announces Deeply Saddened News

ALS is a disease that can end up paralyzing a individual, and is un-curable.

'' Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS is one of several types of motor neurone diseases. It gradually and inexorably paralyzes patients, usually killing within about four years.''

STATEMENT VIA BORJE SALMING / MAPLE LEAFS:

"I HAVE RECEIVED NEWS THAT HAS SHAKEN MY FAMILY AND ME. THE
SIGNS THAT INDICATED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG IN MY BODY TURNED OUT TO BE THE DISEASE ALS.

ALSO KNOWN AS LOU GEHRIG"S
DISEASE. IN AN INSTANT, EVERY THING CHANGED. I DO NOT KNOW HOW THE DAYS AHEAD WILL BE BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WILL BE CHALLENGES GREATER THAN ANYTHING I HAVE EVER FACED. I ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS NO CURE BUT THERE ARE NUMEROUS WORLDWIDE TRIALS GOING ON AND THERE WILL BE A CURE ONE DAY. IN THE MEANTIME, THERE ARE TREATMENTS AVAILABLE TO SLOW THE
PROGRESSION AND MY FAMILY AND I WILL REMAIN POSITIVE.

SINCE I STARTED PLAYING ICE HOCKEY AS A LITTLE KID IN KIRUNA, AND THROUGHOUT MY CAREER, I HAVE GIVEN IT MY ALL. AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO, RIGHT NOW I REST ASSURED THAT I HAVE MY LOVING FAMILY AROUND ME AND THE BEST POSSIBLE MEDICAL CARE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE MANY OF YOU THAT WOULD LIKE TO REACH OUT. HOWEVER I KINDLY ASK YOU TO RESPECT OUR PRIVACY IN THESE TRYING TIMES, PLEASE KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYERS. WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT AND I UNDERSTAND MORE AROUT MY CONDITION AND
FUTURE JOURNEY, I WILL REACH OUT. SO, UNTIL SUCH A TIME, WE
KINDLY REFRAIN FROM ALL CONTACT.

I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND AND RESPECT OUR DECISION.