Only Fossett is flying solo on the estimated two to three week trip. In addition, three other teams have announced their plans to join the race, including a team who will make their attempt from Australia, ascending to an altitude of 130,000 feet.
ALS is a fatal disease: Most ALS patients die within two to five years of diagnosis. Common causes of death are respiratory failure and/or cardiac problems related to insufficient oxygen. Patients may also suffer respiratory infections, such as pneumonia.
Generally speaking, someone is diagnosed with ALS every 90 minutes. The life-time incident rate for an average person is often estimated at between 1 in 400 to 1 in 600 people- a number that is similar to the incidence of multiple sclerosis. There are many national efforts to count and/or register individuals living with ALS, including one in the US.