The ALS Association

ALS affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. As these cells deteriorate, people living with #ALS lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, and eventually breathe. Learn more and find resources: bit.ly/Understanding-…

There is still time to nominate someone for the 2026 ALS Heroes Awards! Do you know someone who goes above and beyond for the ALS community? Someone who never asks for recognition, but deserves it more than anyone? The ALS Hero Award is the ALS Association's highest honor, given each year to the most extraordinary people who support, advocate or dedicate their lives to making ALS livable and curing it. True heroes rarely see themselves as one. That's exactly why we need you to nominate them. There is still time to nominate your ALS Hero! Nominations close by April 17: alsa.tfaforms.net/f/2026alsheron…

NIH grants for early-career scientists dropped from a 26% success rate to just 19% in FY2025. That's real breakthroughs delayed. Real labs that never open. Real cures that take longer to find. That's why we invest directly in these researchers, before the big federal grants. Because one early grant doesn't just fund a project. It builds a career, a lab, and a future for people living with ALS. 75% of our fellows stay in ALS research. The pipeline is working; but only if we fund it. Read more about why early investment in researchers matters now more than ever and how you can help: als.org/blog/why-suppo…

We are so excited to share that the state of Maryland has signed their FY27 state budget into law. The budget, which includes $750,000 towards ALS Care Services funding, will go into effect on July 1. This would not be possible without the tireless effort from our advocates!

Three states. Three major wins. Three states passed critical funding and new legislation for ALS care because of our tireless advocacy efforts and advocates, community and people living with #ALS showing up and making their voices heard. Next step: Governors’ signatures. Maryland: Largest ALS care funding increase since 2021 West Virginia: First-ever ALS Care Services Act passed unanimously Virginia: $750K for ALS care services This is what #advocacy looks like, and there are more states to reach. Learn more: als.org/blog/when-peop…

We welcome the reintroduction of ACT for ALS, but this is more than reauthorization. This bill is stronger: ✔️ Real accountability for clinical trials ✔️ Faster pathways to get therapies to patients ✔️ New FDA transparency and oversight These improvements, we are leading, mean faster access to potential treatments for people living with ALS. People with ALS can’t wait. Congress must act now.

April is #NationalVolunteerMonth, a time to honor and celebrate the individuals who give their time, talent, and passion to causes that change lives. Jane Mitchell has been a volunteer with the ALS Association for 25 years. She is a celebrated, Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist from San Diego. Her commitment is deeply personal: her father had ALS. Read about how Jane's is honoring her fathers legacy as a volunteer: als.org/blog/national-…

Today, President Trump shared a first look at the 2027 budget, and it could negatively impact ALS research. We are concerned and will thoroughly review the full budget proposal when it is released later this month. The initial plan includes a $5 billion cut to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is the main source of federal funding for ALS research. NIH helps support science, clinical trials, and important data needed to find new treatments. The ALS Association will keep fighting for more funding for ALS research to make ALS livable and cure it. #ALSAdvocacy #FundALSResearch #UnitedforCures #curescantwait

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Chris Spaulding. Chris was a father, a husband, an advocate, and someone who gave everything he had to this community while fighting his own battle with ALS. He challenged insurance denials, wrote to lawmakers, inspired fundraisers, and never stopped pushing for a better future for everyone touched by this disease. Chris was named one of our 2025 ALS Hero Award recipients. Even though he never saw himself as one, the ALS community knew otherwise. We are grateful for the time we had with Chris and for the impact he had. Our hearts are with his family and all who loved him during this time.

Last week, we joined advocates at the CA Senate Health Committee to support the California Science and Health Research Bond Act— led by @Scott_Wiener — a bold proposal to invest $23 BILLION in lifesaving research, including research for ALS. Through our advocacy, ALS is now explicitly named in the bill and we were proud to be the only ALS organization at the hearing, standing alongside the patient advocates who made it happen. Just 1% of the proposed funding for ALS would surpass what the Ice Bucket Challenge raised. Learn more: als.quorum.us/campaign/CA-AL…

For the first time in the history of ALS, certain people living with SOD1-ALS are recovering some lost function. Something as small as wiggling toes again. Using an index finger to send a text. For someone living with #ALS, a disease that relentlessly robs people of movement, voice, and independence — these moments are nothing short of extraordinary. This is what research and progress can do for people living with ALS. Right now, only one treatment exists that can restore some lost function and it only reaches 2% of people living with ALS. For the other 98%, there is still nothing. That gap is unacceptable. And closing it is exactly what we are doing something about. Today, 100% of your donation will go to ALS #research, because it’s time to #AcceleratetheCure. als.org/accelerate

Don’t let your voice go unheard! Living with ALS means facing important decisions about your care - and your voice matters in every conversation. Join us our upcoming webinar Your Care, Your Voice: Becoming an Active Partner in ALS Decision-Making on April 14 at 2 p.m. Together, we'll explore ways to become an active partner in your healthcare journey, learn tips on having conversations that can help you express what matters most, and review practical tools designed specifically for the ALS community. Register today: als.org/webinars/your-…

Our #ALSFocus Assistive Technology for Everyday Activities Survey is now open! If you are living with #ALS or are a current or former caregiver, we want to know how assistive technology fits (or doesn’t fit) into your everyday routines. Help us understand where the needs of the ALS community are being met and where gaps remain — share your insight: alsfocus.org

Happy #OpeningDay Baseball Fans We are teaming up with the @Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola again this season to strike out ALS! Aaron Nola lost his uncle to ALS in 2021. Since then, he's turned every strikeout into a statement — raising over $350,000 for the fight to make ALS livable and cure it. That money funds real progress: research that's helping us understand why ALS happens, and how to stop it. Every K gets us closer. This season, join Aaron and let's #StrkeOutALS. als.org/strikeoutals

"The ALS Association supports me with a caring case manager who attends my clinic appointments with me. She helps me find resources like equipment grants or transportation information. (Our wheelchairs are very heavy and require special medical transportation.) My case manager even accompanied me to City Hall when the Mayor’s office of Kansas City declared May as ALS Awareness month. We were given a proclamation to display at the local ALS clinic." - Jennifer Robb, Living with ALS. Join Jennifer and urge your local lawmakers to declare May as ALS Awareness Month! Public recognition from state leaders raises critical awareness and shows families affected by ALS that they are seen, supported, and not facing this disease alone. Learn how you can contact your lawmakers: als.quorum.us/campaign/ALS-A…

Everyone's celebrating trips to Disney World or Universal Studios, but we're celebrating something even bigger: ALS Nexus this summer! Whether you are a family navigating an ALS journey, a lab team on the verge of a breakthrough, or a clinical crew providing essential care, we believe the best way forward is together.  Don’t delay! Register 4 people and the 5th registration is on us!  Register TODAY: alsnexus.org

Every year, we review policies across all 50 states to see how well they protect and support people living with ALS. However, this year we are taking a closer look at several states, today we are spotlighting Georgia. Georgia’s Report Card: 🟡 Prior Authorization Reform: B 🟠 Caregiver Support: D 🟠 Medigap Access & Affordability: D 🟠 ALS Care Services Funding: F 🟠 Genetic Discrimination Protections: F Find other state report cards and learn how you can make an impact in your area. als.org/blog/state-rep…

Happy #PiDay! Every Walk to Defeat ALS feels a little like the community it calls home. A walk in Florida? Probably Key Lime. Michigan? Cherry all the way. Texas? Definitely Pecan. What kind of pie does your local walk feel like? Tell us below and then find your walk at: walktodefeatals.org