What We Do
The ALS Association symbolizes the hopes of people everywhere that Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis will one day be a disease of the past, conquered by the dedication of thousands who have worked ceaselessly to understand and eradicate this perplexing killer.
Until that day comes, The ALS Association relentlessly pursues its mission to help people living with ALS and to leave no stone unturned in the search for a cure for this progressive neurodegenerative disease.
Care Services
The Greater Philadelphia Chapter is committed to enhancing the quality of life for those living with ALS through comprehensive care programs. We understand the value of those with the disease being able to communicate, function safely in their home, and travel to ALS Treatment Centers for comprehensive evaluation and treatment. Our programs are designed to meet these essential care needs as well as the emotional needs of people living with ALS and their caregivers.
Advocacy
The Greater Philadelphia Chapter focuses on state and federal advocacy for research, health & long-term care, and caregiver support. The ALS community's involvement in advocacy has led to increased federal funding for ALS research at the NIH and federal funding for ALS research through the Department of Defense.
Through the power of personal testimony, ALS advocates from the Greater Philadelphia Chapter have achieved significant success for the ALS cause including increased funding for care in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware and passage of ACT for ALS.
Research
We are the largest private funder of ALS research worldwide, and our efforts have led to some of the most promising and significant advances in the field. So far, we have committed more than $122 million to research. Thanks to the donations raised during the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, we're now spending three times more than on ALS Research than before summer 2014.
Collaboration is the cornerstone of our research program. We partner with academia, industry, government, and other nonprofit organizations and lead by spurring long-lasting collaborations among researchers across all sectors, leading to globally shared data, protocols, and research samples to accelerate research progress. The Greater Philadelphia area is one of the top regions in the country for promising ALS research.
Public Education & Awareness
Through community outreach, media relations, social media, and more, the Greater Philadelphia Chapter raises awareness about ALS year-round. Our website is a vital source of information for those battling ALS and for people looking for the latest news and information about the disease. We provide an opportunity for anyone touched by this devastating disease to gather and connect with others through our many community-outreach events. Our Chapter’s long relationship with the Philadelphia Phillies to Strike Out ALS has brought heightened attention to the ALS cause since 1984.
If you have specific questions about ALS symptoms or tips for living with ALS, please contact one of our Chapter’s trained nurses or social workers.