Local Highlights
SAVE THE DATE: Targeting ALS Central Alabama
Targeting ALS Central Alabama Clay Shoot is an event combining fun and fundraising in one exciting day of clay shooting. This event offers a compelling opportunity to unite in honor of Central Alabama’s ALS community and generate funds that further our mission to discover treatments and a cure for ALS and serve, advocate for, and empower people affected by ALS to live their lives to the fullest.
Clay shooting is a sport anyone can get involved in, from the experienced shooter to the novice. Attendees will be part of a four-person team to enjoy a half-day (morning or afternoon) rotating through 15 shooting stations that are sure to deliver an unparalleled experience.
Join us for a great fundraising event at Orvis Shooting Grounds at Purcell Farms!
Click here to learn more about the clay shoot, sponsorship opportunities, and ticket information.
WALK TO DEFEAT ALS REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Save the Date for a 2023 Walk to Defeat ALS near you! The Association's signature event is now open for registration. Your participation in the Walk to Defeat ALS has a direct impact on people living with ALS and their families at the local level. Through education, support groups, access to care and advocacy, we are working to defeat ALS and provide hope to people living with ALS and their families.
North Alabama: October 14, 2023 - University of Alabama at Huntsville Quad
Central Alabama: November 4, 2023 - Homewood Central Park
South Alabama: September 16, 2023 - University of South Alabama Intramural Fields
Eclipse ALS with Us
With both an Annular Eclipse in 2023 and Total Eclipse in 2024, American Paper Optics has created exclusive Eclipse ALS glasses for safely viewing the eclipses!
For a limited time, American Paper Optics is partnering with The ALS Association to support our mission 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. From now until April 8th, 2024, for each 12 pack of these eclipse glasses purchased, APO will donate 50% of profits to The ALS Association.
These safe solar glasses are exclusively manufactured with 2 mil scratch resistant silver/black polymer lenses that filter out harmful ultraviolet and infrared rays and intense visible light. With an optical density of 5 or greater, these ISO 12312-2 compliant and CE certified eclipse glasses are independently tested to ensure safety for all phases of the eclipse.
Enjoy the eclipse with your loved ones while also supporting the ALS community and raising awareness!
Purchase your Eclipse ALS glasses here!
Become a Community Champion
Our Community Champion base is growing more than ever! We have six new Community Leadership Council members and three Event Committee members. We conquered 2022 with so many new volunteers, but we want 2023 to be even bigger. Will you become a Community Champion?
What is a Community Champion?
A Community Champion is someone who wants to make an impact in the ALS community. Whether that's through advocacy, volunteer opportunities at events, skills training, and beyond, there's something that will fit everyone.
Your help is needed. Click here to sign up to Become a Community Champion and start making an impact on the ALS community.
2023 Virtual Congressional Fly In Day
Congress has finalized the rules and committee places for government spending, and we are in for a fight to achieve our goal to increase funding for ALS research appropriations this year.
This goal will require the help of ALS advocates across the country to inform Congress why ALS research funding is a priority and should be increased to make ALS a livable disease by 2030.
Our event will be virtual but still be called a Fly In and it will be held in mid April. This year, the event will be slightly different as we will have priority messages for Appropriators (those representatives that sit on the Appropriations Committee) in addition to meeting with our other elected officials.
James Sharp Managing Director, Advocacy will share the list of targeted legislators as well as materials you and your volunteers will need.
We are in need of advocacy volunteers. Become a voice for those living with ALS and fight for change. Reach out to James Sharp (Managing Director, Advocacy) at [email protected] for more information.
National ALS Registry
The National ALS Registry may be the single largest ALS research project ever created. It is designed to identify ALS cases from throughout the United States. The Registry is collecting critical information about the disease that may improve care for people with ALS and help us learn what causes the disease, how it can be treated and even prevented.
Learn more about the National ALS Registry today here, and find out how this research can help, including by informing people living with ALS about new and ongoing clinical trials.
Support Groups
Available in-person and virtually each month
Did you know that our local area support groups are now meeting in-person and with a virtual option in Huntsville, Greater Birmingham, Greater Montgomery, The Wiregrass, and The Greater Mobile/Baldwin areas?
Please join us each month as we gather for information, support, and fellowship. Your local care services coordinator can provide you all of the details for how to attend, and what topics or speakers will be presented. For example, this past month in the Greater Montgomery Area Support Group, we welcomed James Roberson from the State Health Insurance Program to help us prepare for the Open Enrollment Period and talk about services offered through their office including support in choosing the best plan for your needs, and prescription assistance programs.
Contact your Care Services Coordinator for more information, or email Melissa Enfinger, Director of Care Services at [email protected].
