ALS Caregivers Support Group Thursday Nights
2025-06-19 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-07-17 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-08-21 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-09-18 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
Register 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
2025-06-23 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-07-28 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-08-25 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-09-22 18:00 - 19:30
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.

Register here

Navigating ALS Together
2025-06-28 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-07-07 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-07-26 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-08-04 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-23 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-09-01 14:00 - 15:00
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

Newly Diagnosed ALS Support Group
2025-07-01 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-08-05 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-09-02 18:00 - 19:00
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
Register here

ALS Caregivers Support Group
2025-07-07 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-08-04 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-09-01 15:30 - 16:30
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
Facilitator: Anne Lidsky, PhD
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.*

Young Adult Support Group
2025-07-15 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-08-19 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-09-16 19:00 - 20:30
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
Register here

ALS Caregivers Support Group
2025-07-17 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-08-21 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-09-18 15:30 - 16:30
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 3:30-4:30
Facilitator: Anne Lidsky, PhD
Register here
*Meetings will be held over Zoom and a Zoom invitation will be sent via email once you register for the group.*

ALS Learning Series: Voice Preservation Beyond Recording: Creating and Using My Preserved Voice
2025-07-24 12:00 - 13:00
Join us for our July ALS Learning Series featuring a comprehensive review of current best practices and tools in Message Banking, Voice Banking, and Voice Cloning, including the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in voice preservation. After a diagnosis of a progressive condition that impacts speech, an urgent priority is preserving one’s voice. However, recording your voice is only the first step. Part of the feature matching process is to determine compatibility and integration of one’s preserved voice into communication apps and software. We will cover the full process from recording through integration, updates on current technologies, including AI’s role in voice preservation, and treatment recommendations for using one’s preserved voice most effectively and efficiently for functional communication.

Making Daily Life Easier: Occupational Therapy Solutions for People Living with ALS
2025-08-21 12:00 - 13:00 | https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NvIxvs4-TQSR5BwY_maltA
Join us for an informative session about how occupational therapy can support your daily activities and quality of life while living with ALS. Becca Schroeder, MOT, OTR/L, will explore practical strategies, adaptive equipment, and energy conservation techniques that can help you maintain independence in your home and community utilizing her skills as an occupational therapist paired with the expertise of people living with ALS. This webinar will provide you with actionable tools and resources to navigate daily challenges with confidence.
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.

Participation in the National ALS Registry
2025-09-08 12:00 - 13:00
ALS research depends on people living with ALS to join the National ALS Registry. Every individual’s story can contribute to our understanding of the disease, its causes, and how to fight it. Join us for our January ALS Learning series with Reshma Punjani and Janie Gobeli to learn how the National ALS Registry helps advance research. Reshma will discuss how to join the National ALS Registry, what information they collect and why, and the type of research the registry is conducting, while Janie will discuss her personal experience with the registry. A Q&A session will follow the discussion.
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.

ALS Walk For Life
2025-09-20
At the Midwest’s largest ALS gathering, thousands of walkers form teams in support of people living with ALS, or who have passed away from ALS, to celebrate and honor their lives. Their efforts allow us to continue to provide the best care for those affected by the disease, answer their questions, support them and their loved ones and provide hope through scientific research. Our signature event features a nice, slow two mile stroll along the lakefront and finishes off through historic Soldier Field.
