Since 2019, The ALS Association Roundtable Program has provided a forum for candid, facilitated discussions that guide our strategy for ALS care, advocacy and research. Here are just a few examples of how Roundtable discussions have been turned into positive action for people living with ALS and their families.
In March 2022, after several months of multiple doctor visits and many tests, Jacob Harper was diagnosed with P525L FUS ALS—a nano-rare version of ALS only found in people under the age of 25. Jacob is on the Jacifusen clinical trial trying to slow progression, as he shares his testimony with people from all over the world.
Larry Falivena, member of The ALS Association’s Board of Trustees who is living with ALS, shares his unique experience with the disease and his perspective on genetic testing.
Carianne “Cari” Meystrik is a true hero to her family, friends and the entire staff at The ALS Association Tennessee Chapter. Cari and her husband Chris had only been married for 6 ½ years when she was diagnosed with ALS in 1998 while pregnant with her fourth child. The couple thought their dreams of growing old together and raising a family were over. Instead, despite the various obstacles brought on by ALS, the Meystrik family has had incredible adventures and made precious memories that carry them through the tough times.
Back in 2000, when Veronique Belzil was working as a counselor in Canada, she found a new path after watching her husband’s uncle quickly succumb to ALS.
Since our founding in 1985, we have put collaboration at the forefront of everything we do. The gift of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in August 2014 gave us the unique opportunity to up our game in establishing innovative research partnerships around the world.
Late last month, Congress passed a $1.3 trillion fiscal year 2018 Consolidated Appropriations spending bill that included a $3 billion increase to funding for medical research to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Funding to the NIH has increased to $37 billion, the largest bump they have seen in years.
Our beloved daughter, Carmen Schentrup, was taken from us on February 14, one of 17 victims of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. Her life was cut too short. For the last month, we have tried to make sense of the senseless, and we have grieved with the other families.
We wanted to clear up some misinformation floating around on social media regarding our research funding and our current assets. We also wanted to explain our approach to funding research.
Kevin Gosnell, founder of ALS ONE, passed away on Monday because of complications from the disease. Gosnell was diagnosed with ALS in spring 2015 and immediately put his business acumen and CEO leadership skills to work, convening the best minds in the ALS community. He founded ALS ONE in January 2016 and brought together leading neurology experts and care specialists from Massachusetts in partnership to leverage their institutions’ strengths to expedite progress toward finding a treatment for ALS within the next four years.
