#USA #Arlington #ALS Association #ALS care #Healthcare Grants

ALS Association Grants to Improve ALS Care

The ALS Association has announced a significant funding initiative, dedicating over $2 million to support ALS Certified Treatment Centers of Excellence and Recognized Treatment Centers across the United States. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of multidisciplinary care available for individuals living with ALS and their families. Each of the 107 participating clinics will receive a grant of $20,000, enabling them to strengthen their services and resources.

This strategic funding comes from the Hugh and Herbert Hoffman ALS Impact Fund, established to improve access to quality care in various communities. The financial support will empower clinics to invest in crucial areas such as staffing, medical equipment, patient education, and co-pay assistance. These improvements are essential for the day-to-day management of ALS, a disease that presents immense challenges not just to those diagnosed, but also to their families.

Steve Bullock, a representative from the Hoffman family, expressed pride in furthering Hugh Hoffman's vision of providing compassionate care to families grappling with the disease. “By investing directly in the clinics that serve people every day, the ALS Association is helping families receive the specialized care they deserve,” he said.

The immediate need for such generosity becomes apparent in light of recent projections indicating a marked increase in ALS cases over the next 15 years. With this rise, the urgency for accessible, affordable, and coordinated care grows stronger than ever. Calaneet Balas, the President and CEO of the ALS Association, emphasized that while multidisciplinary care can significantly enhance survival rates and life quality, geographical disparities often limit access to such quality care. These grants will equip clinics with the necessary resources to provide expert services, ensuring that people with ALS can lead longer and more fulfilling lives.

Since its inception in 1989, the ALS Clinic Certification Program has established rigorous standards for ALS care. This network of certified centers has become a gold standard, pushing forward a model that integrates various specialties—neurologists, therapists, social workers, nutritionists, and other health professionals—to provide comprehensive, coordinated care at every illness stage.

“This funding comes at a crucial moment,” stated Jen Hjelle, Chief Community Engagement Officer for the ALS Association. “Every clinic we support serves more than just as a medical facility; it becomes a crucial lifeline for families navigating an ALS diagnosis. Strengthening these centers strengthens the entire ALS community.”

The ALS Association anticipates that all grants will be allocated and distributed by the end of the year 2025. This funding announcement not only represents a financial commitment but also reflects the dedication of the ALS Association to improve the landscape of care for individuals affected by this debilitating condition.

About the ALS Association

The ALS Association operates as the foremost ALS organization globally, funding extensive research initiatives, providing essential support to individuals and families affected by ALS, and advocating for improved public policies aimed at this population. The overarching mission of the ALS Association is to make ALS livable and ultimately find a cure for the disease.

Understanding ALS

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly referred to as ALS, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that primarily attacks nerve cells in both the brain and spinal cord. As the disease advances, individuals progressively lose their ability to move, speak, and eventually breathe, typically leading to fatality within five years of diagnosis. The lack of widely effective treatment options underscores the pressing need for innovative therapies that can alleviate functional decline and progression of the disease.

For more information about the initiative or to learn more about ALS and available resources, visit www.als.org.