Our Impact
People living with ALS and their families come first in everything we do, and everything we do supports the search for effective treatments and cures for ALS. The Greater Philadelphia Chapter of The ALS Association is committed to our mission, to discover treatments and a cure for ALS, and to serve, advocate for, and empower people affected by ALS to live their lives to the fullest.
The Greater Philadelphia Chapter exists to ensure that anyone facing ALS has someone to turn to for expert advice, essential equipment and support, community, caring conversations, and so much more. Now and always, we remain committed to meeting the needs of individuals and families facing ALS that we serve in eastern and central Pennsylvania, central and southern New Jersey, and all of Delaware.
1,200
Patients served, on average, each year by the Chapter
Care Services
The Greater Philadelphia Chapter helps patients and their families face the rigors of ALS with strength and confidence through a full range of services that not only provide essential support, but also help to ease what sometimes can become an unmanageable financial burden.
Our services include coverage of home visits by professional caregivers, as well as provision of necessary medical equipment and assistive technology, devices that improve accessibility around the home, and transportation to medical appointments and Chapter events in vans outfitted to accommodate power wheelchairs. Additionally, patients and their families can take advantage of a wide variety of educational and recreational programs run by the Chapter.
Care Services Highlights from 2022
In 2022, the ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter delivered a wide range of care services programs to enhance the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by ALS.
- 1,369 patient visits either through telemedicine or in person at the 8 ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter-supporter Clinics.
- 21,120 hours of care delivered to 92 people with ALS through the Howard I. Abrams In-Home Care Program.
- 265 pieces of equipment such as power wheelchairs and shower chairs loaned throughout entire service area to 193 patients through the Marjorie Shimer Durable Medical Equipment Program. The Chapter helped install 38 ramps and stair glides.
- More than 600 Assistive Technology interventions through the Scott A. Mackler, MD, PhD Assistive Technology Program.
21,120
Hours of care delivered to 92 people with ALS through the Howard I. Abrams In-Home Care Program
$15M
Invested in ALS Research
Research
The Greater Philadelphia Chapter continually supports global research that has resulted in some of the greatest discoveries to date, including the revelation of new genes that contribute to ALS, development of drugs that aim to slow or stop the progression of this devastating disease, and key advancements in wearable sensor and brain computer interface technology.
Our global approach to funding research serves to fuel the most promising projects by pioneering ALS scientists. The FDA announced their approval of RELYVRIO (AMX0035). The drug has been shown to slow the progression of the disease and extend life by several months. The ALS Association funded initial research and the Phase 2 clinical trial and worked with additional ALS organizations to advocate for FDA approval.
Advocacy
Every year the Greater Philadelphia Chapter educates state and federal policymakers about issues important to people living with ALS. Some of the notable achievements our advocacy efforts have yielded include: appropriations of nearly $1 million in combined state funding for ALS care services in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware; recognition of ALS as a service-connected disease; and elimination of the 24-month waiting period that people with ALS had to endure before receiving Medicare benefits.
$100M
Will be invested over 5 years for ALS Research
Where Are Your Donations Going?
1,369
Patient visits either through telemedicine or in person at the
8 ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter-supporter Clinics
162
Active research projects worldwide
124
Support/research groups offered for patients, family members, and/or caregivers
265
Pieces of equipment such as power wheelchairs and shower chairs loaned through the Marjorie Shimer Durable Medical Equipment Program
21,120
Hours of care delivered to 92 people with ALS through the Howard I. Abrams In-Home Care Program
600+
Assistive Technology interventions through the Scott A. Mackler, MD, PhD Assistive Technology Program