Sharing the luck of the Irish

As we mark the "Ides of March," the middle-of-the-month date celebrated by the Romans and popularized by William Shakespeare, my thoughts turn to an even more festive day -- St. Patrick's Day -- for two reasons:

First, it is great fun to wear green and share the luck of the Irish on March 17. 

Second, celebrating St. Patrick's Day is the inspiration behind an absolutely amazing grass-roots effort that, for 27 years, has used Shamrocks to raise $20 million annually to speed research seeking treatments and cures for neuromuscular diseases.

Yes, as an O'Dell, I know something about shamrocks, including the millions of green and gold Shamrock mobiles for the Muscular Dystrophy Association that are right now popping up all over America -- transforming thousands of supermarkets, convenience stores, and restaurants into fun St. Patrick's Day environments.  

Thanks largely to the tens of thousands of waiters and waitresses, cashiers and retail associates who are asking their loyal customers to donate one dollar or five dollars to buy a Shamrock to help MDA, people are responding enthusiastically and a world of difference is being made for families, like mine.

I've been buying and signing my name on MDA Shamrocks for years. But it wasn't until my mother, Betty, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), that I learned firsthand why it's so important for everyone to keep helping advance MDA's lifesaving mission. 

MDA was there with my family and me every step of the way as the progressive neuromuscular disease relentlessly ravaged my Mom's muscles. MDA provided us with the expert medical care we needed for Mom. They kept us up-to-date on the latest research, including upcoming clinical trials for ALS. And MDA gave us the emotional support we needed to face the unknowns associated with this terrible disease that moves so quickly and is fatal.  MDA provides real help and support, and most importantly, hope -- and it does it almost solely with contributions from people like you.

When I buy and sign Shamrocks now, I do it in memory of my beautiful mom, who lost her battle with ALS, a sporadic disease that could affect anyone. 

More than one million Americans are affected by neuromuscular diseases. As MDA's National ALS Ambassador I am doing all I can to end these agonizing conditions. I want to be there when there's a cure for ALS so that no other family has to go through the agonizing loss we have suffered.

Please buy Shamrocks at your favorite retailers and/or text "IRISH" to 20222 on your cell phone to make a $5 dollar donation to MDA that will be added to your phone bill.  The new texting option is cool -- especially since you'll get a special "thank you" text transmitting a link for Shamrock wallpaper you can download to dress up your cell phone for St. Patrick's Day.

Editor's note: In addition to her work with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Nancy O'Dell is known for her 13 years as co-host of "Access Hollywood." She was recently named the new face of RUSK hair care products and BaByliss Pro. She is a published author with her first book, "Full of Life: Mom-to-Mom Tips I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Was Pregnant."  O'Dell has been co-host of the annual Tournament of Roses and the Golden Globes live national arrivals show for the past nine years, and co-host of MDA's Labor Day Telethon for three years. She has her own line of outdoor furniture called "Red Carpet Furniture by Nancy O'Dell," and a new jewelry line on QVC, The Nancy O'Dell Collection.

Photo credit: Getty Images