A nurse’s kindness inspires a legacy
Christine participates in the Les Turner ALS Walk for Life in memory of her husband, Gary LaPaille, who passed from ALS about 18 months ago.
“A nurse affiliated with the Les Turner ALS Foundation helped me with great advice at a very difficult time,” she says. “I now want to raise money to help the Foundation continue to help families and patients impacted by ALS. And we need to find a cure; supporting research with funding is the only way to continue this important work.”
Christine advises other walkers to cast a wide net when fundraising, reaching out to friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues past and present. “I am amazed at who is willing to donate in honor of Gary. Many people I didn’t ask last year have told me to send them information on donating this year. Good luck everyone!”
On July 25, we gathered at the Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Ice Bucket Challenge. Our “Chipping Away at ALS” event highlighted the incredible advancements in ALS research and clinical care over the past decade.
The event was a true community effort, with clinicians, researchers, and families chipping away at a four-foot ice sculpture of “ALS.” Bryan Szymczak, a retired firefighter battling ALS, and Tim Rooney, whose family has been profoundly affected by the disease, shared their powerful stories. Dr. Senda Ajroud-Driss, director of the Lois Insolia ALS Clinic, discussed the latest advancements in patient care and research.
NBC 5 Chicago was on hand to catch the action, check out the video here. For all the photos from the event on our Flickr, click here.
To learn more about how you can help us continue to chip away at ALS, click the link.
Join us Thursday, August 29, at 12:00 PM CST for a live ALS Learning Series webinar. Palliative care experts Dr. Ambereen Mehta and Dr. Suzana Makowski will guide you in advocating for yourself and communicating effectively with your ALS health team.
This session will provide people living with ALS, their families, and care partners with practical strategies to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are met, fostering a collaborative approach to care.
The Les Turner ALS Foundation proudly offers this webinar at no cost to the ALS community, thanks to the Gilbert & Jacqueline Fern Foundation and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America.
Register now and attend this invaluable session to empower your voice.
To date, our most viewed guide is ALS + Breathing (also available in Spanish). This essential resource helps people living with ALS and their families understand how ALS affects breathing and offers practical tips for managing respiratory symptoms.
The guide covers a range of important topics, including the symptoms of respiratory muscle weakness, different breathing evaluations, and how to use non-invasive ventilation effectively. It also provides strategies for handling mucus and secretions, ensuring a comfortable breathing experience, and maintaining respiratory health.
Additionally, the guide explains the importance of devices like cough assists and suction machines, and it offers advice on managing respiratory complications from colds and viruses.
Access the ALS + Breathing guide and empower yourself with the knowledge to navigate ALS-related respiratory challenges.
Connect and make an impact with the Young ProfessionALS Group
The Young ProfessionALS Group (YPG) is a fantastic way to connect with other young professionals in Chicagoland who share a common goal: finding a cure for ALS. Whether you have a personal connection to ALS or simply want to make a difference, YPG welcomes you!
YPG meets on the second Thursday of each month to socialize, support one another, and brainstorm new ways to raise awareness and help those affected by ALS. They host several exciting fundraisers annually, including an NCAA bracket challenge, bar crawl, and casino night.
Interested in joining? Contact Ryan McGarvey at YPG@lesturnerals.org. For updates, visit their Facebook and Instagram pages.
