About ALS

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that slowly robs a person of the ability to walk, speak, swallow and, eventually breathe. With no known cause or cure, a person can expect to live typically 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis.

ALS has no racial, ethnic or socioeconomic boundaries and in only 10% of cases there is a familyhistory of ALS. Today, there are approximately 30,000 people in the US living with ALS and 5,600 people are diagnosed each and every year in the US.

 

About ALS United Mid-Atlantic

For more than 40 years, ALS United Mid-Atlantic has worked to improve the quality of life for people with ALS by supporting vital ALS research and direct care services to patients and their families, as well as engaging in advocacy at the state and federal levels. We serve more than 1,200 people each year and cover a broad service area that encompasses eastern and central Pennsylvania, central and southern New Jersey, and all of Delaware.

Our Mission
To unite and empower the ALS community through a collaborative approach to fostering bold research initiatives, advancing national and state advocacy, and providing comprehensive care and support to individuals and families affected by ALS.

 

Our Impact

Care Services
ALS United Mid-Atlantic 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.

 

Research
ALS United Mid-Atlantic 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.

 

Advocacy
ALS United Mid-Atlantic 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 ALS United Mid-Atlantic 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.