ALS Association Starts Disaster Relief Fund for Patients Affected by Hurricane Harvey

The ALS Association has established a disaster relief fund to help patients and their families who were affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Harvey brought strong winds and unprecedented rain that caused widespread flooding in parts of Texas and Louisiana. The Houston area recorded 20-plus inches of rain.

A lot of people in the region have suffered injury and illness. Many have lost homes or had them badly damaged. Residents have also faced power outages and rising prices for gas and other necessities due to crimped supplies.

In addition, many services have been affected because staff fled the areas to avoid the hurricane.

Coping with such a disaster is hard for anyone, but those with ALS face a lot more obstacles than most. That’s why the ALS Association established the fund. It is asking for contributions at alsa.org/Harvey.

The association’s Texas and Louisiana/Mississippi chapters are trying to reach people with ALS and their families in the disaster areas. In the meantime, staging facilities have been set up in Houston to provide food, respiratory and other medical equipment, and personal care items to ALS patients there.

Texans with ALS who were affected by Harvey can check this list of resources for help. Those in Louisiana and Mississippi needing help can call 1-800-782-4747.

“Our hearts are with everyone in the Texas and Louisiana areas, especially those we serve with ALS and their families,” Barbara Newhouse, president and chief executive officer of the ALS Association, said in a press release. “The flooding has put millions at risk, particularly those with ALS, who already require additional help with medical needs. We are grateful for the public’s help to ensure those services continue during the recovery and in the weeks and months ahead.”

If you’d like to contribute to those affected by Hurricane Harvey, the New York Times has compiled a guide to legitimate organizations that are seeking donations to prevent you from being scammed. It’s titled “Where to Donate to Harvey Victims (and How to Avoid Scams).”