February 2025 Foundation eNews

Ashley RosenbrockFoundation eNews, Home Page

Celebrating a force for change

At the Hope Through Caring Gala, we’re proud to honor Jean Swidler and Mindy Uhrlaub, founders of End the Legacy, with the Harvey and Bonny Gaffen Advancements in ALS Award. Jean and Mindy’s mission is deeply personal, born from their shared determination to advocate for the needs and interests of the Genetic ALS & FTD community.

Through their leadership, End the Legacy has become a powerful force for change, raising awareness and inspiring others to join the fight. Their work exemplifies compassion, resilience, and commitment to ending this disease for future generations.

Join us at the Hope Through Caring Gala on Saturday, April 5 in Chicago to celebrate Jean and Mindy’s extraordinary contributions, and support the care and research that bring us closer to a world without ALS.

Register now by clicking the link.

Join us this Thursday for our ALS Learning Series

Caregiving for a loved one with ALS can be rewarding, exhausting, and full of unexpected emotions.

This Thursday, join us for an inspiring webinar led by Linda Levine, caregiver and educator, and her husband, David Buseck, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2019. Together, they will share practical tools and real-life examples to help caregivers balance their loved one’s needs with their own wellness.

Learn strategies to end your day feeling better, not bitter, and hear from a couple who call themselves “Team Tortoise” for their persistent, adaptable approach to life and caregiving.

This webinar is offered at no cost to the ALS community, thanks to the support of the Gilbert & Jacqueline Fern Foundation, Biogen, and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America.

Click the link to register.

Volunteer Spotlight: Mara Glad

Our Volunteer Spotlight for January is Mara Glad. Mara first joined the Les Turner ALS Community after moving to Chicago, motivated by a deeply personal connection to the cause. Her father passed from ALS when she was just 10 years old.

“I volunteer to help the families that are going through what my mom, my sister, and I went through. I know how tough it can be, and anything I can do to help gives me purpose. And it’s really a lot of fun!” says Mara.

Volunteers like Mara are the heart of our mission. Click to learn more about how you can join our volunteer community and make a lasting difference for people living with ALS and their families!

Turn your passion into purpose

You can make a difference for people living with ALS by turning your passions into purpose with our Fundraise Your Way program. We’ll provide the support and you can create your own fundraiser or plan an event that fits your interests and talents.

Whether it’s hosting a birthday fundraiser, organizing a golf outing, or even cooking your favorite dishes, you can transform your hobbies and milestones into opportunities to support the ALS community.

Prefer to join an existing event? We’ve got plenty of options ready for you—no planning required!

Not sure where to start? Our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Email us at [email protected] or call 847 679 3311 to brainstorm ideas and begin planning today. Learn more by clicking the link.

Guide Spotlight: ALS & Nutrition

Maintaining proper nutrition is critical for people living with ALS, helping to preserve strength, energy, and independence. The ALS and Nutrition Guide offers practical strategies to address weight loss, chewing and swallowing difficulties, dehydration, and maintaining adequate calorie intake.

This guide provides expert recommendations on high-calorie foods, hydration techniques, and adaptive tools to make eating easier. It also covers feeding tube considerations, helping individuals make informed decisions about their nutritional care.

By proactively managing nutrition, people living with ALS can improve their quality of life and overall well-being.

Click the link to explore the guide, available in English and Spanish.