Honoring Brian and Lori Andre at the Hope Through Caring Gala
At this year’s Hope Through Caring Gala, we are proud to honor Brian and Lori Andre with the Hope Through Caring Award. Since Brian’s diagnosis in 2016, the Andres have been resolute advocates for the ALS community, from organizing local support groups to championing expanded access programs for promising new therapies. As the longtime owners of Lori’s Shoes, Brian and Lori have brought their signature entrepreneurial drive and a deep commitment to the fight against ALS.
After a decade of navigating the disease, they continue to work tenaciously to raise awareness, engage their extensive networks, and recruit new advocates to ensure that people living with ALS and their caregivers have a powerful voice in the future of care.
Champion the ALS Better Care Act
Access to expert, multidisciplinary care is vital for people living with ALS to stay home safely and improve their quality of life. However, inadequate Medicare reimbursement often leads to strained resources and long wait times at clinics like our own Lois Insolia ALS Clinic.
The ALS Better Care Act aims to fix this by creating supplemental Medicare payments to support comprehensive care without increasing out-of-pocket costs. This bipartisan legislation will help multidisciplinary clinics reduce delays, improve health outcomes, and connect people to promising treatments and research earlier.
Support Our Mission: Donate to the Hope Through Caring Gala Auction
Our annual Hope Through Caring Gala is on Saturday, April 11, and we are building an extraordinary auction to fuel our mission. We invite you to contribute unique items or experiences that can make a lasting impact.
Whether you own a local business, have access to travel packages, or can provide exclusive services, your donation directly supports individualized care and vital research for the Chicagoland ALS community. These contributions allow us to remain a consistent resource for people living with ALS and their loved ones every step of the way.
To donate an item or learn more about how your gift provides hope, please email development@lesturnerals.org
Join us for the Lew Blond Run
Registration is now open for the Lew Blond Memorial 5K Run/Walk, taking place on Saturday, May 16. This year marks a significant milestone as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this community tradition, held in honor of Lew Blond, a beloved Northbrook teacher who lived with ALS.
Whether you are a competitive runner or prefer a morning walk, your participation fuels our mission. All proceeds benefit the Les Turner ALS Foundation, directly supporting individualized care and vital research at the Les Turner ALS Center at Northwestern Medicine.
Join our dedicated community to raise awareness and provide hope for everyone navigating the journey with ALS.
Guide Spotlight: ALS & Breathing
As ALS progresses, the muscles that support your breathing can weaken, making respiratory health a top priority. Our ALS and Breathing Guide provides essential expertise to help you and your caregivers manage these changes with confidence.
This comprehensive resource explains how ALS affects the respiratory system and outlines the various therapies and equipment available to support your breathing. From understanding non-invasive ventilation to identifying early signs of respiratory change, this guide ensures you have the information needed to make informed treatment decisions alongside your clinical team.
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.
Robert Funk
Paul Mohler
Michael “Mike” Rose
Gina Wessel
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.
Get Involved
Saturday, April 11
Saturday, May 16
Support Groups
Navigating ALS Together
1st Monday Group: 2 – 3 p.m.*
2nd Saturday Group: 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
4th Saturday Group: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
ALS Caregivers
1st Monday Group: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.*
3rd Thursday Group: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.**
3rd Thursday Group: 7 – 8 p.m.**
Living After Loss
4th Monday: 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Moving Forward After Loss – Partner Bereavement Group
Winter Session begins January 27
6 – 7:30 p.m.
Newly Diagnosed
1st Tuesday: 6 – 7 p.m.
Young Adult Support Group
3rd Tuesday: 7 – 8:30 p.m.
* March session moved to 2nd Monday
** March session moved to 4th Thursday
