PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Börje Salming’s health has touched millions of Swedes.
Now several football icons have done their bit to help.
– I know Börje and think it’s terrible, says Anders Limpar to SportExpressen.
It was last summer that the announcement came Börje Salming affected by the terrible nerve disease ALS. Since then, things have gone very quickly for the 71-year-old and his health has deteriorated significantly.
The icons were collected
The hockey icon has established his very own foundation to promote research into ALS and in recent weeks, many have contributed money in the fight against the tough disease that affects thousands of Swedes. Recently, a bunch of soccer profiles and legends got together to do their part and raise money.
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At the end of October, “For life against ALS” was organized, an indoor tournament where several Swedes played football to draw attention to the disease and raise money for research. Big football names like Tommy Söderberg, Anders Limpar, Jesper Blomqvist, Marcus Rosenberg, Daniel Andersson, Therese Sjögran, Marcus Allbäck, Lasse Granqvist, Jonas Eriksson and Anders Andersson and more were on hand for the tournament.
READ MORE: Börje Salming’s doctor’s first words about the icon’s illness – then a cure may come: “It’s very tough”
“That’s the problem”
Most people believe that Börje Salming’s story has helped many people now realize how serious the disease ALS is and how important research is.
– That is usually the problem, that it is not seen in the media or heard. It’s often when you get someone affected by it that you get into it. It is clear that it is a super arrangement and just fun to be a part of it, says former Malmö FF hero Markus Rosenberg to SportExpressen.
– The fact that he goes out and tells his story is of course important, because he is such a big profile and many people can see themselves in him who has the same disease. It means a lot to everyone else too that he goes out and tells. It was truly an honor to be a part of it, says Therese Sjögran.
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The tournament was organized by the promoter Peter Bengtsson and has been planned for a long time. Two years ago, he received his own ALS diagnosis and the goal of the football tournament “For life against ALS” was to raise money for research and increase knowledge about the disease.
READ MORE: The SHL profile’s beautiful tribute to Börje Salming – reveals forgotten memory that shows the greatness of the icon
With the help of Salming’s history and courage to open up about the disease, it will contribute to spreading knowledge about the disease.
– It’s about finding a cure, or at least better anti-inflammatory drugs. What then does it doesn’t matter. But it’s clear that a famous face… It’s like with diabetes, when Peter Jihde got it, there was a gala on TV. It wasn’t there before, says Bengtsson to the evening newspaper.
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