Giving Tuesday, the global day of giving celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, is a powerful reminder that each of us has the ability to make a meaningful difference. On this day, individuals, families, and communities come together to support causes close to their hearts, united by the belief that generosity has the power to change lives.
We are working each and every day to improve the lives of those affected by ALS, accelerating research and technology, optimizing treatments and care, and working to reduce the harms of living with ALS.
Our goal is clear: to make ALS a livable disease for everyone, everywhere, until we can cure it.
As we approach Giving Tuesday, we want to share highlights of some of the impactful work we’ve done this year and show how your generosity and support brings hope and relief to thousands of people facing ALS.
Accelerating Research and Technology
In 2024, thanks to generous support, we advanced critical research efforts that are bringing us closer to more effective treatments and, someday, a cure. Some of these strides include:
- Supporting global research efforts: This year, we funded over 150 active research projects across 15 countries, providing researchers with resources to pursue promising studies that could lead to breakthroughs in ALS treatment and prevention.
- Building clinical trial access through initiatives like the Hoffman ALS Clinical Trial Awards and the Trial Capacity Awards. We are working to make clinical trials more accessible to people living with ALS. This commitment supports 18 clinical trial sites, improving both the reach and efficiency of ALS research.
Optimizing Treatments and Care
Finding ways to optimize treatments and care, and increasing access to care, helps people with ALS live the way they want with a better quality of life. And we need to see more care available to people living with ALS everywhere, regardless of their zip code. In 2024 we:
- Expanded our clinic network. With 238 multidisciplinary ALS clinics across the United States, including new Certified Treatment Centers of Excellence™ and Recognized Treatment Centers™, we are providing vital access to high-quality care. The expansion of the clinic network enables more people to receive the comprehensive, specialized care they need, regardless of their location.
- We entered into a new partnership with Synapticure, a leader in telemedicine focused on improving the lives of people and caregivers living with neurodegenerative diseases, which will also help to expand access to quality care. This new partnership will also improve continuity of care and help reduce the burdens placed on people with ALS and their families.
- Expanded our Nationwide Equipment Program. Access to appropriate medical equipment is proven to prolong and enhance the quality of life and independence for people living with ALS. This year alone we provided more than 100,000 pieces of needed equipment to the ALS community nationwide.
Reducing the Harms of Living with ALS
Reducing the day-to-day struggles of living with ALS is another essential focus. In 2024, we initiated programs that are making life with ALS more manageable and promoting a future where ALS is easier to diagnose and treat.
- Awarded pioneering Assistive Technology Grants: We awarded over $3 million in Assistive Technology Grants, supporting eight innovative technologies that address some of the most pressing challenges faced by people with ALS.
- Expanded access to the National ALS Registry: Our new volunteer program helps people living with ALS enroll in the National ALS Registry, providing the opportunity to get involved in research and help future generations. Volunteers assist participants through the enrollment process, ensuring that critical information is captured to help further ALS research.
How You Can Make a Difference
Giving Tuesday is your opportunity to help us achieve our goal of making ALS livable until we can cure it. Here are a few ways you can get involved tomorrow:
- Share the Message: Tell your friends and family about ALS and the work we are doing. Share stories on social media, spread awareness, and encourage others to give.
- Volunteer: Consider joining the fight against ALS by volunteering your time with us. Volunteers provide invaluable support to families, help raise funds, and work on advocacy efforts that drive policy change.
- Donate: Every dollar helps. Whether you give $10 or $1,000, your contribution funds crucial research, expands treatment options, and improves daily life for people living with ALS.
Together, we can change the future for those impacted by ALS. This Giving Tuesday let’s give hope, strength, and support to people living with ALS and their families. Join us and all who share the vision of a world where ALS is no longer a life-ending diagnosis.
For more information about the progress we’re making in the fight against ALS, read our 2024 Progress Report.
To continue to follow stories about people living with ALS in the community and learn more about the disease, subscribe to receive our weekly blogs in your inbox HERE or follow us at als.org/blog.
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