Les Turner ALS Foundation

Westmont Craft Fair
2024-12-07 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago)
Check out this craft fair in Westmont where one of our supporters, Molly, will sell photographs her dad took. He had ALS from 1996-2002. Molly was his nurse, caring for him as they traveled and her dad took pictures.

Newly Diagnosed ALS Support Group
2024-12-09 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago)
An ALS diagnosis is difficult to process. People often feel shocked and isolated by the news, whether the diagnosis was for themselves or a family member. It’s hard to move forward or figure out what comes next.
Set in a relaxed and supportive virtual environment, this support group will allow you to connect with others who have received an ALS diagnosis within the last six months.
First Tuesday of Each Month (Starting in October)
Time: 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. CST
Facilitator: Cara F. Gallagher, MA., LCPC
RSVP: Please register here.

Navigating ALS Together Support Group
2024-12-14 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-01-11 10:30 - 12:00 UTC
Meets the Second Saturday of each month from 10:30am – 12:00 pm
Facilitator(s): Karen Raley Steffens, RN, CHPN, CCM
RSVP: Please email us at supportgroup@lesturnerals.org to RSVP
*Meetings will be held over Zoom and a Zoom invitation will be sent via email once you register for the group.*

Navigating ALS Together Support Group
2024-12-16 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-01-20 14:00 - 15:00 UTC
Meets the Third Monday of each month from 2-3:15 p.m.
Facilitator: Anne Lidsky, PhD
RSVP: Please email us at supportgroup@lesturnerals.org to RSVP
*Meetings will be held over Zoom and a Zoom invitation will be sent via email once you register for the group.*

ALS Caregivers Support Group
2024-12-16 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-01-20 15:30 - 16:30 (America/Chicago)
The Caregivers Only group offers a time to talk about all the issues caregivers face in a non-judgmental, accepting atmosphere without their loved one, who is living with ALS, being present. Caregivers share a common experience; life has become so tumultuous that they often feel exhausted and overwhelmed, hungry for emotional comfort. Together, with the guidance and encouragement of a devoted facilitator, caregivers can find the strength to persevere. And, by feeling heard and understood, caregivers become more equipped to face another day with new coping strategies.
Time: Meets the Third Monday of each month from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Anne Lidsky, PhD
RSVP: Please RSVP here.
*Meetings will be held over Zoom and a Zoom invitation will be sent via email once you register for the group.*

Young Adult Support Group
2024-12-17 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-01-21 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-02-18 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago)
When a loved one is diagnosed with ALS, it can be overwhelming, especially for young adults who are navigating their own life milestones. It’s common to feel isolated or unsure of how to cope with the changes ALS brings to your family dynamic.

This supportive virtual group offers a space for young adults ages 18-30 to connect with peers who are experiencing similar challenges. In a relaxed and understanding environment, you can share experiences, explore feelings, and find support from others who truly understand what you’re going through.
Third Tuesday of Each Month (Beginning October 15)
Visit our Calendar of Events for upcoming dates.
Time: 7 – 8:30 p.m. CST
Facilitator: Michelle Shaker, LCSW
RSVP: Please register here.

December Learning Series
2024-12-19 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Thriving through the holidays with ALS
Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 12 PM CST
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bpa_wk1IQSCDE7yjGibolQ
About the Program
Join us for our December Learning Series with Dr. Suzana K.E. Makowski, medical director of Compassionate Care ALS.  Dr. Makowski will discuss where we can find light in the darkness and gratitude as we enter a new season and new year. The Les Turner ALS Foundation is proud to offer this webinar at no cost to the ALS community. Thank you to the Gilbert & Jacqueline Fern Foundation & Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America for sponsoring this webinar.
About the Speaker: Suzana K. E. Makowski, MD
Suzana K. E. Makowski, MD: is currently the medical director of Compassionate Care ALS, a non-profit group that supports patients and families living with ALS throughout the US.  She has worked as a palliative care physician in various academic and community settings: as Chief of Palliative Medicine at both Unity Hospital, Exeter Hospital in New Hampshire, co-chief of Palliative Care at UMass Medical Center and Chan School of Medicine, where she still holds a voluntary Associate Professor of Medicine role, teaching and mentoring students, and as Hospice Medical Director at Hospice and Palliative Care of Cape Cod.  She has served on various committees, including on the Board of the New Hampshire Home Care and Hospice Association, End of Life Counsel to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and Quality Committee of AAHPM. She completed her fellowship in Palliative Care at San Diego Hospice and Palliative Care, and Integrative Medicine at University of Michigan, Internal Medicine residency at Baystate Medical Center, and medical school at University of Rochester.

ALS Caregivers Support Group
2024-12-19 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-01-16 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
The Caregivers Only group offers a time to talk about all the issues caregivers face in a non-judgmental, accepting atmosphere without their loved one, who is living with ALS, being present. Caregivers share a common experience; life has become so tumultuous that they often feel exhausted and overwhelmed, hungry for emotional comfort. Together, with the guidance and encouragement of a devoted facilitator, caregivers can find the strength to persevere. And, by feeling heard and understood, caregivers become more equipped to face another day with new coping strategies.
Time: Meets the Third Thursday of each month from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Anne Lidsky, PhD
RSVP: Please RSVP here.
*Meetings will be held over Zoom and a Zoom invitation will be sent via email once you register for the group.*

ALS Caregivers Support Group
2024-12-19 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-01-16 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
The Caregivers Only group offers a time to talk about all the issues caregivers face in a non-judgmental, accepting atmosphere without their loved one, who is living with ALS, being present. Caregivers share a common experience; life has become so tumultuous that they often feel exhausted and overwhelmed, hungry for emotional comfort. Together, with the guidance and encouragement of a devoted facilitator, caregivers can find the strength to persevere. And by feeling heard and understood, caregivers become more equipped to face another day with new coping strategies.
Time: Meets the Third Thursday of each month from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Anne Lidsky, PhD
RSVP: Please RSVP here.
*Meetings will be held over Zoom and a Zoom invitation will be sent via email once you register for the group.*

Living After Loss (Bereavement Group)
2024-12-23 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago)
An open, supportive monthly bereavement group for anyone (family, friend, etc.) who has lost a loved one to ALS within the past year. This group will provide a place to connect with others who have experienced the loss of a loved one to ALS; stories will be told, feelings will be explored, and information will be shared about how to remain connected to the memory of a loved one.
Date: Fourth Monday
Time: 6pm – 7:30pm
Facilitator(s): Easton Stevenson, LCSW

RSVP: Email supportgroup@lesturnerals.org.
*Meetings will be held over Zoom and a Zoom invitation will be sent via email once you register for the group.*

Navigating ALS Together Support Group
2024-12-28 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-01-25 10:30 - 11:30 UTC
Meets the Fourth Saturday of each month from 10:30 am-11:30 a.m.
Facilitator(s): Rochelle Walwer, LCSW
RSVP: Click here to register
*Meetings will be held over Zoom and a Zoom invitation will be sent via email once you register for the group.*

Newly Diagnosed ALS Support Group
2025-01-07 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-02-04 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago)
An ALS diagnosis is difficult to process. People often feel shocked and isolated by the news, whether the diagnosis was for themselves or a family member. It’s hard to move forward or figure out what comes next.
Set in a relaxed and supportive virtual environment, this support group will allow you to connect with others who have received an ALS diagnosis within the last six months.
First Tuesday of Each Month (Starting in October)
Time: 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. CST
Facilitator: Cara F. Gallagher, MA., LCPC
RSVP: Email supportgroup@lesturnerals.org.

Living After Loss Bereavement Group
2025-01-27 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-02-24 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | http://events.lesturnerals.org/site/Survey;jsessionid=00000000.app20047b?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=3042&_gl=1*ej00s3*_gcl_au*NDQ2NjcxNjEuMTczNDUzNzg0OA..*_ga*MTQ0NjA1MDkuMTczNDUzNzg0OA..*_ga_JGQNCMRW7P*MTczNjk2MDMzNS4yNS4xLjE3MzY5NjA0MzQuMjMuMC4w&NONCE_TOKEN=[REDACTED]
Living After Loss Bereavement Group- 4th Monday of the month
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
An open, supportive monthly bereavement group for anyone who has lost a family member, friend, or a loved one to ALS. This group will provide a place to connect with others who have experienced a loss.Stories will be told, feelings will be explored, and information will be shared about how to remain connected to the memory of a loved one.

Moving Forward After Loss Spousal/Partner Bereavement Group Winter Session
2025-01-28 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-02-04 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-02-11 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-02-18 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-02-25 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | http://events.lesturnerals.org/site/Survey;jsessionid=00000000.app20047b?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=3042&_gl=1*ej00s3*_gcl_au*NDQ2NjcxNjEuMTczNDUzNzg0OA..*_ga*MTQ0NjA1MDkuMTczNDUzNzg0OA..*_ga_JGQNCMRW7P*MTczNjk2MDMzNS4yNS4xLjE3MzY5NjA0MzQuMjMuMC4w&NONCE_TOKEN=[REDACTED]
Moving Forward After Loss Spousal/Partner Bereavement Group –
A closed, six-week therapeutic bereavement group for spouses or partners of people who have died from ALS within the past six to nine months.
This group provides support, validation, and education in a supportive setting to those who are grieving the loss of their loved one.
Winter 2025 session January 28 – March 4

Spring 2025- Tuesday April 29, 2025 to Tuesday June 3, 2025 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Fall 2025- Tuesday September 16, 2025 – Tuesday October 21, 2025 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

February Learning Series: Family Caregivers: Angels in Agony
2025-02-06 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Every caregiver — and every caregiving journey — is unique, but there are some commonalities among caregivers of family members living with ALS. Most say caregiving is at the same time challenging, exhausting, rewarding, and full of unexpected emotions. Linda Levine is a caregiver for her husband David Buseck, a person with ALS. Together they share how they try daily to strike a balance between stepping up for the needs of the other while maintaining their own identities and wellness. Join us as they share tools illustrated by real life, relatable examples that will help caregivers feel better, rather than bitter, at the end of the day.

The Les Turner ALS Foundation is proud to offer this webinar at no cost to the ALS community. Thank you to the Gilbert & Jacqueline Fern Foundation, Biogen, & Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America for sponsoring this webinar.
About the Speakers
Linda Levine, M.Ed, trained as a Recreational Therapist and educator. She has applied those skills to help people find fulfilling lives using wheelchairs, communication devices, and adaptive equipment. She taught for 30 years at San Jose State University, including courses on diverse topics such as creating a meaningful life, creativity, identity, play, grief and loss. As a life coach, Linda specializes in helping people move through change, whether that is the loss of a loved one, retirement, career challenges, or just about anything else. In her role as a motivational speaker, she speaks about Caregiving, Team-building, Grief and even Clumsy Sex and ALS. Linda has a gift for taking on tough topics with sensitivity and refreshing humor.

David Buseck, MS, is a retired engineer who worked with radiation oncology equipment. He was diagnosed with ALS in 2019. He is a board member with the ALS Network and is active in various forms of ALS advocacy. He enjoys playing flute, reading, traveling, and writing. In 2024, he published Paris: City of Cultures, which is a book with wheelchair accessible walking tours through beautiful Parisian neighborhoods. He challenges himself to find adaptations and workarounds to continue his activities as much as possible. He and Linda live in San Jose, CA. Together, they call themselves, “Team Tortoise” because they are slower than before but they keep trying new and different ways to get to where they want to go.

Navigating ALS Together
2025-02-15 10:30 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
These support groups are designed for people and families living with ALS. The groups are open and ongoing, and you may join at any time. It can be helpful for attendees to find a support system outside their immediate circle, make connections with others, and discover a place to gain additional emotional support about ALS and practical guidance for their unique, personal circumstances.
Register here: http://events.lesturnerals.org/site/Survey;jsessionid=00000000.app20047b?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=3042&_gl=1*ej00s3*_gcl_au*NDQ2NjcxNjEuMTczNDUzNzg0OA..*_ga*MTQ0NjA1MDkuMTczNDUzNzg0OA..*_ga_JGQNCMRW7P*MTczNjk2MDMzNS4yNS4xLjE3MzY5NjA0MzQuMjMuMC4w&NONCE_TOKEN=[REDACTED]
