Les Turner ALS Foundation

Living After Loss Bereavement Group
2026-06-22 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-07-27 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-08-24 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-09-28 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago)
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

ALS Learning Series: The ALS Turbocharged Living Scale: A New Way to Measure What Matters
2026-06-25 12:00 - 13:00
Join us for an inspiring one-hour conversation with Peggy Plews-Ogan, MD, of the Hummingbird Fund, as she shares the story behind the ALS Turbocharged Living Scale, a powerful framework developed by her late husband. The scale offers a meaningful way for people living with ALS to measure and celebrate quality of life beyond physical function. Whether you are navigating ALS yourself or supporting someone who is, this webinar will offer a fresh perspective and practical insight.
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 & Shionogi for sponsoring this webinar.

Navigating ALS Together
2026-06-27 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-07-06 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-07-25 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-08-03 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-08-22 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-09-07 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-09-26 10:30 - 11:30
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

ALS Caregivers Support Group
2026-07-06 15:30 - 16:30, 2026-08-03 15:30 - 16:30, 2026-09-07 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
Register here
*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
2026-07-07 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-08-04 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-09-01 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
2026-07-16 15:30 - 16:30, 2026-08-20 15:30 - 16:30, 2026-09-17 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 Caregivers Support Group Thursday Nights
2026-07-16 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-08-20 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-09-17 19:00 - 20:00
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.*

Young Adult Support Group
2026-07-21 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-08-18 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-09-15 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 Learning Series: Traveling with ALS: What to Know Before You Go
2026-07-23 12:00 - 13:00
Travel and exploration don’t need to stop with an ALS diagnosis. Join us for our July ALS Learning Series on travel. Kari Brouwer, Craig and Emily Mandell, and Monica Meder O’Callaghan will come together to share honest stories and hard-won advice about navigating travel with ALS. From practical planning strategies and adaptive equipment to the emotional side of getting out and seeing the world, our panelists cover what it actually takes to get from point A to point B. Whether you’re planning a big trip or just trying to visit loved ones, we’ll try and cover it all. Stick around at the end for a live Q&A, your questions are welcome and encouraged.
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 & Shionogi for sponsoring this webinar.

ALS Learning Series: ALS-FTD Clinicopathological Overlap
2026-08-20 10:00 - 11:00
ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are increasingly understood to share underlying biological connections, and some people living with ALS may also experience changes in thinking, behavior, or personality. Join Dr. David Irwin from Penn Medicine, as he explores the relationship between ALS and ALS-FTD, explaining what current research tells us about how these conditions overlap. This session will help you understand what cognitive and behavioral changes to watch for, how they may show up over the course of the disease, and what this means for care and support planning.
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 & Shionogi for sponsoring this webinar.

ALS Learning Series: Cognitive and Language Impairments in ALS & ALS-FTD: Signs & Strategies
2026-09-24 12:00 - 13:00
In this webinar, Marie Saxon, MS, CCC-SLP will review the most commonly observed cognitive and language symptoms in individuals with ALS and FTD, as well as their functional implications. Symptoms include reduced executive functioning, attention, memory, social cognition, and communication that can impact decision making, safety, and interpersonal connection. She will review potential signs of cognitive and language impairments that would be reason to utilize supportive strategies or seek additional support. Lastly, Marie will review practical strategies and tools that can be employed now to support increased independence and participation in meaningful activities.
The Les Turner ALS Foundation is proud to offer this webinar at no cost to the ALS community. Thank you to Biogen & Shionogi for sponsoring this webinar.
