5 Important Things the ALS Association Does

The ALS Association was founded in 1985 and is dedicated to helping patients who suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The non-profit organization operates with a global scope, coordinating their research with some of the world’s top scientists.

Here are six more things this incredible organization does:

Research
The ALS Association has raised more than $99 million for research into all areas of ALS. The money raised has been used to isolate the genes involved in ALS, develop new treatments and drugs, fund clinical trials, and much more.

The organization is currently funding almost 100 active research projects through its TREAT ALS program.

Chapters and Care Services
There are 26 ALS chapters across the U.S., and each one offers support to locals who have the disease. The care services on offer include providing information and referrals, day-to-day assistance with managing ALS symptoms and improving quality of life for both patients and caregivers.

Walk to Defeat ALS
The Walk to Defeat ALS is a yearly event which is now in its 17th year, and has raised more than $265 million. The walks are organized through the local chapters and around 100,000 people take part each year.

MORE: Six coping strategies to help you process an ALS diagnosis

Awareness and Education
The organization’s website receives around a quarter of a million hits each month and offers the latest information about the condition including clinical trials, research data, and treatment options as well as providing vital resource information for families.

The ALS Association publishes an online magazine and is active on social media, and other media outlets to help raise awareness of the disease and educate the public.

National ALS Registry
The ALS Association founded the National ALS Registry in 2010, and it’s now administrated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The registry serves as an ongoing research project with data from all ALS patients across the U.S.

MORE: Seven interesting facts about ALS

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