The ALS Association

ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. A-myo-trophic comes from the Greek language. "A" means no. "Myo" refers to muscle, and "Trophic" means nourishment – "No muscle nourishment." When a muscle has no nourishment, it "atrophies" or wastes away. "Lateral" identifies the areas in a person's spinal cord where portions of the nerve cells that signal and control the muscles are located. As this area degenerates, it leads to scarring or hardening ("sclerosis") in the region. https://lnkd.in/eMND-t9F

Across the country, thousands of ALS advocates took action this August. Together, we sent messages, made calls, posted tweets, and held several in-district meetings with Members of Congress and their staff.    A huge thank you to every ALS advocate who reached out to their Members of Congress and to those lawmakers and staff who took time to hear directly from the ALS community, including: Rep. Tom Cole (OK-4), Sen. Susan Collins’s staff (ME), Sen. Mitch McConnell (KY), Sen. Bill Cassidy (LA), Sen. John Cornyn (TX), Sen. Ted Cruz (TX), and Rep. Andy Harris (MD-1).    Join us and help shape policies that make ALS livable for everyone: als.org/advocate    #ALSAdvocacy #FundALSResearch #EndALS 

Tippy Phillips is a devoted wife, loving mother, and proud grandmother. She and her husband, Chris, live on a small farm in Wisconsin. Tippy is a caregiver for Chris who is living with ALS. The ALS Association's website was the first place Tippy went to after Chris’ diagnosis, connecting her with critical resources and support. “The impact is enormous; I don't know where we would be without the ALS Association. It's like having a best friend to lean on during a difficult time. You know they will be there, no matter what. There is no better place to donate your money, no matter the amount of the donation, it adds up and it makes a difference," Tippy said. Share your story like Tippy by visiting: https://lnkd.in/g_Gig_5h

What is your favorite memory from the Walk to Defeat ALS? Let us know in the comments below! Haven't had a chance to participate in the #WalkToDefeatALS? Register today! walktodefeatals.org

Behind every ALS diagnosis is a story of strength, love, and resilience. Your story has the power to inspire hope, raise awareness, and remind others they are not alone. Share your ALS story today at https://lnkd.in/g_Gig_5h

Today we honor Chris Spaulding, a husband, father, advocate, fundraiser, and the 2025 ALS Hero Award Winner. Since his ALS diagnosis, Chris has faced challenges with resilience, determination, and purpose. When his insurance denied coverage for a prescribed treatment, he fought back and won, not just for himself but to show others how to navigate a difficult system. Chris has become a powerful voice in ALS advocacy, meeting with lawmakers, inspiring friends to take action, and pushing for change at every level. He has also rallied incredible community support, from a golf tournament that tripled its fundraising goal to a cycling team that raised nearly $25,000 for ALS research and care. Chris doesn’t see himself as a hero, but his commitment to helping others, his leadership, and his example prove otherwise. We are proud to recognize him as a 2025 ALS Hero. Learn more about Chris: https://lnkd.in/e2NZVuEJ

Our mission is to discover treatments and a cure for ALS, and to serve, advocate for, and empower people affected by ALS to live their lives to the fullest. ❤️💛💙

As ALS Advocacy Month comes to a close we want to thank everyone for their support and actions they have taken to support ALS research and people impacted by the disease. But the work is far from over! Learn how you can continue to advocate for ALS all year long: als.org/august

Children may be impacted differently when a loved one is diagnosed with #ALS, which is why we provide resources specifically designed to support youth and adolescents. Learn more: https://bit.ly/YouthALS

Living with ALS or caring for someone who is? You’re not alone. We’ve put together a library of trusted resources including fact sheets, videos, guides, books, and more to help you find answers, feel supported, and stay informed. Explore the full library of materials today: https://lnkd.in/ghP9eawu