Les Turner ALS Foundation
Support Services Committee
The Support Services Committee ensures that the Foundation's services are responsive to the needs, priorities, goals and values of the ALS community. Committee members create a strategic plan and evaluate the Foundation's support services and educational programs.
The committee is comprised of board members and non-board members – some of whom are living with ALS or are caregivers. The Foundation relies on them to provide a first-hand perspective. They are passionate advocates committed to high-quality, patient-centric and innovative support services.
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Tina Cascio joined the Foundation's Board of Directors in 2022 and the Support Services Committee in 2023. She has worked her entire career in the medical field, and considers herself a temporarily retired nurse. Once there is a cure for ALS, she plans on returning to care for her patients. Tina cared for her mom throughout her fight with ALS until her mom passed in 2018. She is now in her own battle after having been diagnosed with ALS in 2020. Tina has been actively involved in community outreach and familial sponsor programs. She is also an active member of Her ALS Story. Tina lives in Palatine, IL and also enjoys any time spent with family, friends, and her newly adopted cat Lucy.
Read more about Tina's story.Chaunelle Caver-Perkins joined the Support Services Committee in 2021. Chaunelle spent much of her childhood on the Southwest side of Chicago and worked for the U.S. Postal Service from 2007-20. She was diagnosed with ALS in 2020 and is grateful to be working with Dr. Brent and his entire team at the Lois Insolia Clinic at Northwestern Medicine, as well as working with the Foundation. She holds an associate degree in general science and a bachelor’s degree in education. She resides with her two children in Posen, IL.
Cheryl Gallagher joined the Support Services Committee in 2021. She worked for United Airlines for 29 years as a flight attendant. Prior to being diagnosed with ALS in 2016, she lived an active life which included hiking, swimming and yoga. Cheryl enjoys reading, crossword puzzles, cooking and eating and has a dog named Derby who keeps her company during the day. She has three sisters, five brothers and many nieces and nephews, and enjoys spending time with her family. She lives on the North Side of Chicago and is an avid Cubs fan.
Read more about Cheryl's story.Janie Gobeli serves as an advisory committee member for the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial and is on the QurAlis/CISCRP Global Patient Advisory Board. She’s also an ALS Research Ambassador for the Northeast ALS Consortium (NEALS), a patient advisor for pharmaceutical companies introducing new clinical trial medicine for ALS, and a peer presenter for many organizations. Diagnosed with ALS in 2021, Janie is a former elementary education teacher and licensed cosmetologist. She’s passionate about being a voice for the ALS community and is involved in various advocacy roles, including peer presentations and panel discussions.
Read more about Janie and how she used our Boughton Grant to help with home modifications.
Frank Granata has been a member of the Foundation's Board of Directors since 2022 and a member of the Support Services Committee since 2023. A retired banker who worked and lived internationally, Frank was diagnosed with ALS in 2020. Despite his diagnosis, he continues to work tirelessly to optimize the muscles to respond. Along with his own battle, Frank continues to motivate his friends who are living with ALS by always encouraging them to push themselves, by assisting the incredible supportive team at the Foundation, and embracing every precious moment that he has with loved ones. Frank lives in the Chicago suburbs with his wife Carolyn and their son who is attending medical school.
Jenny Hernandez is a fourth-grade teacher whose father was diagnosed with ALS in 2020. Since then, she has been a dedicated caregiver and advocate for her dad. The Les Turner Foundation has been a great source of support for her family, and they’ve enjoyed participating in various events like the Hope Through Caring Gala, Lou Gehrig Day baseball games, and the Les Turner ALS Walk for Life. Jenny is passionate about sharing resources and tools to help others navigate the challenges of ALS.
“We know that ALS is hard enough on both patients and family members, which is why it's so important to share helpful ideas or tools to better the lives of others. At the end of the day, we aren’t going down without a fight.”
Mario Hernandez, a former supervisor at an Aircraft Propeller Service company, was diagnosed with ALS in 2020. After joining the Les Turner ALS Foundation in 2023, he and his family found much-needed support. Mario is committed to helping others through the Foundation and is grateful for the community’s support. He enjoys attending events and participating in monthly support groups with his daughter. “Joining this committee is important to me because I know that together we can make a difference.”