May is ALS Awareness Month
Join together with the ALS Network (formerly the ALS Association Golden West Chapter) and the ALS community to help educate people about this devastating disease and inspire them to take action to end ALS.
Throughout this month, we will share important facts about ALS, promising scientific developments, and information about public policy initiatives. We will highlight ALS Network care services, which are provided free-of-charge to people with ALS and their loved ones, and help people live longer and better with ALS than any FDA approved medication.
We will also share many stories from the ALS community to inspire and build connection, and to raise critically-needed funds for our mission and the more than 2000 people living with ALS and their loved ones that we serve. By showing your commitment to raising awareness and support, you provide essential help and hope to the ALS community.
We are grateful for your ongoing dedication to our mission. Let’s #cureALStogether!
Help Fuel Our Mission and Support the ALS Community
Your generous gift provides funding for the vital mission priorities of ALS Network (formerly the ALS Association Golden West Chapter) as we partner with the ALS community to drive the discovery of prevention strategies, treatments, and cures for ALS; provide access to quality care and connection; and promote initiatives to improve health outcomes.
My ALS Story: Honoring Stephen, Person with ALS
Earlier this month, Stephen Ellis lost his battle with ALS. Prior to passing, Stephen shared his ALS story to help others and their loved ones. We honor Stephen and recognize his ALS journey in his own words.
ALS is pretty much different for everyone. For me, it started in my lower body. I was walking funny, and my legs started giving out first. I would fall from time to time, which I later found out was foot drop. I was finally diagnosed in January of 2023.
Within 4-5 months, it went from balance issues to a cane to using a walker. Now, I am in a wheelchair. I still have some strength to stand, to get in and out of bed and to use the restroom. But I can’t really walk anymore because of the strength I've lost.
Then, I found out about the ALS Network. They set me up with a loaner wheelchair, and introduced me to a lot of other folks to bounce my questions off of. My wife is a part of one of their monthly connection groups. Having the opportunity to interact with the other caregivers has given her a lot of knowledge about ALS, and it has helped her through how the disease has impacted her. We also felt a lot of community support by participating in the Walk & Roll to Cure ALS.
I'm a teacher, and I am lucky to have had the support of my employer to help me continue to work. I always say - if I can still talk, then I can still teach - and if I can get up and get to school, then I'm going to be there.
As long as I can, I am going to be working, teaching, and helping my students. The one thing I always tell people is that I'm going to do what I can do until I can't do it any more.
Stephen Ellis
Person with ALS
Resources for Military & Veterans
Did you know that people who have served in any branch of the military have a greater chance of developing ALS? It is known that military personnel and veterans are approximately twice as likely to develop ALS in their lifetime.
The ALS Network is working everyday to support people with ALS and their families, including our heroes who have served in the military and who have a greater chance of developing ALS than those who have not served.
Share the facts about ALS!
The ALS Network and the ALS community recognize ALS Awareness Month by sharing inspiring stories and highlighting current facts about this devastating disease.
Below are some informational graphics that YOU can download and post on your social media channels to help raise awareness and support!
How to download these images:
- For Desktop Users: Right click on the image and click “Save Image As.” Then click save.
- For Mobile Users: Hold down the image you want to save and click “Save to Photos.”
Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn and share these posts with your friends and followers. Don’t forget to tag us @youralsnetwork and #cureALStogether.
Ways that YOU can help during ALS Awareness Month!
- Learn the facts and help others understand the devastating nature of this disease. Send this page to five people and encourage them to do the same, or post on social media using @youralsnetwork and #cureALStogether
- Share your story and let people know why you are committed to fighting ALS and increasing awareness about the needs of the ALS community.
- Make a gift to the ALS Network. Every dollar makes a difference in the lives of so many and accelerates the search for effective treatments and cures.
- Recruit your friends to like and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Like and share our posts, and don’t forget to use the hashtags #ALS and #cureALStogether
- Become an ALS advocate and help advance important public policy initiatives to benefit the ALS community.
- Sign up for or donate to our many Community Outreach events. Whether you want to walk, run, ride, hike, roll, or watch our livestream, your participation will help raise ALS awareness and support.
- Check our calendar for upcoming activities and events, like the ALS Network’s ASK ME: Recap of the Packard Annual ALS Research Meeting; any of our connection groups; or check out the many ways you can participate!
Raise Awareness and Support at a Community Outreach Event!
The ALS Network provides a variety of engaging activities for those interested in sports and outdoors, arts and entertainment, local ALS care resources, research or public policy updates, community organizing, volunteerism, or spending quality time with family and friends.
