August 2025 Foundation eNews - Les Turner ALS Foundation

Walking for my dad, and the ALS community

This September, Alex Willard will walk for the first time in honor of his dad, Jim, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2023.

“Our story isn’t a sad one,” Alex says. “It’s about how life is for us and how we’re going to make the most of it.”

Alex is a member of our Young ProfessionALS Group (YPG). He’s walking alongside others whose families have been impacted by ALS. “The Walk is a fun and easy way to show up—for our loved ones and for the Les Turner ALS Foundation, which is the preeminent group in the Chicagoland area.”

Join Alex and the YPG team for the ALS Walk for Life on Saturday, Sept. 20, at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Sign up today and walk for someone you love.

Cruisin’ for a Cure was a blast!

Thank you to everyone who joined the Les Turner ALS Foundation’s Young ProfessionALS Group for our sold-out Cruisin’ for a Cure tiki boat event on August 9! With the Chicago skyline sparkling around us and fireworks lighting up the night, this unforgettable evening brought together supporters and friends to raise critical funds for ALS care and research—all while soaking in tropical vibes and an open bar on Lake Michigan.

Because of your energy, generosity, and enthusiasm, this year’s event was a big success—and we’re already excited to cruise again in 2026.

We’re proud to work alongside YPG as they bring fresh energy and commitment to the Foundation’s mission.

Join us this Thursday for a no-cost webinar on how occupational therapy can support daily living with ALS.

Becca Schroeder, MOT, OTR/L, will share strategies to conserve energy, use adaptive equipment, and stay independent at home and in the community. Becca brings experience from the Lois Insolia Clinic at the Les Turner ALS Center at Northwestern Medicine, where she helps people living with ALS find practical, personalized solutions to everyday challenges.

This event is sponsored by the Gilbert & Jacqueline Fern Foundation and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America.

Register today to gain tools and resources that can make life a little easier.

Be counted — join the National ALS Registry

The National ALS Registry is a vital tool in the fight to understand, treat, and ultimately cure ALS. Run by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the Registry gathers information to estimate how many people are living with ALS, identify possible causes, and support ongoing research.

People living with ALS can make a powerful impact by joining the Registry, completing surveys about potential risk factors, donating biological specimens, and learning about available clinical trials.

Your participation helps researchers uncover patterns and move us closer to answers—both for today and for generations to come.

Join the National ALS Registry today.

Together, we can drive ALS research forward. Learn more by clicking the link.

Guide Spotlight: ALS & Activities of Daily Living

Everyday routines like bathing, dressing, eating, and grooming can become more challenging with ALS—but with the right tools and support, they don’t have to be overwhelming. Our ALS & Activities of Daily Living guide offers tips and adaptive devices to help you maintain comfort, independence, and energy throughout the day.

You’ll find practical suggestions from occupational and physical therapists, plus firsthand insight from people living with ALS. Whether you’re navigating small changes or big transitions, this guide provides options tailored to your needs—when you need them.

Read the guide here, available in both English and Spanish.

In Our Thoughts

We offer our sincere condolences to all those who have lost a loved one to ALS. Today, and every day, we honor and remember them.

David Bogard

Beth King

Jeff Lombardo

Linda Zeman

We invite you to share a tribute—whether a story, memory, or photo— to our Celebration of Life memorial wall, keeping the legacy of your loved one alive and reminding others they are never forgotten.

Support ALS Care and Research

The Les Turner ALS Foundation exists to care for those affected by the disease, answer their questions, support them and their loved ones, and provide hope through scientific research at the Les Turner ALS Center at Northwestern Medicine.

Please make a gift so we can continue to deliver that care and support. Together, we will create a world free of ALS.