ALS is called a rare disease. But for reasons not yet known, veterans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with ALS compared to the general public. Last week, we as a nation honored our brave veterans for their sacrifice …
Faces of ALS: Running On Kindness and Generosity
“My grandma was one of the most influential people in my life, for so many reasons,” shared Taylor Davis, a member of our Team Race for ALS. “She taught me the importance of being kind and generous to others. During …
Faces of ALS: A Family Affair
Like most events at the Gardner home in the western suburbs of Chicago it was a family affair. With the face masks in-place and appropriate social distancing, the Gardner family met us outside for what we’re lovingly calling a “front …
Faces of ALS: Letting the Love In
The first night they met, John and Meg Rooney won second place in a dance contest. What followed was a 27-year marriage, three sons and a long-term dedication to our Les Turner ALS family. For many of you, the Rooney …
Faces of ALS: The Embodiment of Hope and Help
As we near the end of ALS Awareness Month, facts and statistics about ALS can be found around every corner. The lifetime risk of developing ALS is just 1 in 300. The estimated annual cost of care is $250,000. These figures illustrate …
Faces of ALS: Honoring a Quarter Century with the Les Turner ALS Foundation
After nearly 25 years with the Les Turner ALS Foundation as Manager of Community Education, ALS Support Services Coordinator and Support Group Facilitator, and decades of nursing experience before joining us, Ileane Mindel, RN, is retiring. Ileane joined us as …
Faces of ALS: A Congressional Gold Medal Recipient Living with ALS
Last week, Steve Gleason, former NFL player and person living with ALS, was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, our nation’s highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress. The medal seeks to honor those, “who have performed an achievement that has an …
The Faces of our ALS Walk for Life
You are the Faces of ALS, the faces of our Les Turner ALS family who joined us last Sunday for our ALS Walk for Life. Over 7,000 of you came out to walk for hope, walk for help and walk …
Faces of ALS: Meet the Next Generation of ALS Walk for Life Captains
Our ALS Walk for Life team captains are one of the main reasons our Walk is a success each and every year. They send out emails, make phone calls and post on social media, all in their fervent effort to …
Faces of ALS: Happy Birthday, Harvey Gaffen!
In 1976, Harvey Gaffen’s brother-in-law and best friend, Les Turner, was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 36. Les was a businessman in the Chicago area and married with three young boys. “Being brothers-in-law was secondary to being best friends. …
