April 2024 Foundation eNews

Ashley RosenbrockFoundation eNews, Home Page

Last Chance to Register: A Hall of Fame Celebration at the Hope Through Caring Gala

There’s nothing like the warmth and camaraderie of the ALS community, and it’s time to cheer for one of our own. At the 36th annual Hope Through Caring Gala, we’ll celebrate Steve McMichael’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

Join us on Saturday, April 13 at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel for a memorable evening that honors extraordinary achievements in the worlds of ALS research and care, and celebrates the indomitable spirit of a Chicago Bears icon. But time is running out, so secure your attendance before the advance registration deadline on Tuesday, April 2. 

McMichael’s family and former teammates will gather to commemorate this momentous occasion, which includes cocktails, dinner, dancing, an auction, and more to combat ALS. Let’s fill the room with hope, unity, and a roaring cheer for a Bears legend. You’ll be part of a night that promises not only to celebrate what’s been done but also to inspire action and hope for the future.

Research: Understanding the Connection Between the Immune System and ALS

Using cutting-edge techniques, researchers at the Les Turner ALS Center at Northwestern Medicine are working to test an innovative hypothesis: that the immune system is involved in the breakdown of the connection between the brain and muscles in people with ALS.

“That’s still very much a hypothesis,” said David Gate, assistant professor of neurology at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine who leads the research. “In every neurodegenerative disease, the immune system is involved in some way. But there hasn’t been enough investigation into what the immune system is doing to the muscles that are wasting in ALS patients.”

For Gate, who joined Northwestern in 2021 specifically to be a part of one of the largest ALS clinics in the world, this early support from the Les Turner ALS Foundation helped jumpstart his research and will hopefully help lead to new treatments. “Understanding how the immune system is connected to ALS patients can also help inform how to treat individual patients,” he said.

 

ALS & Mobility, ALS & Home Modifications Guides Now Available in Spanish

We’re excited to share that our “ALS + Mobility” and “ALS + Home Modifications” guides are now available in Spanish! These comprehensive resources, now accessible to a wider audience, offer invaluable insights and practical tips for those navigating ALS. From understanding mobility aids and durable medical equipment to planning effective home modifications, these guides aim to empower individuals with ALS, their caregivers, and families with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions.

Read the full guides on our website.

Estamos orgullosos de compartir que Nuestras guías “ELA + Movilidad” y “ELA + Modificaciones en el Hogar” ya están disponibles en español. Estos recursos integrales, ahora accesibles para una audiencia más amplia, ofrecen información invaluable y consejos prácticos para aquellos que navegan por la ELA. Desde comprender las ayudas para la movilidad y el equipo médico duradero hasta planificar modificaciones efectivas en el hogar, estas guías tienen como objetivo empoderar a las personas con ELA, a sus cuidadores y familias con el conocimiento necesario para tomar decisiones informadas.

Haz clic en las ligas abajo para leer las guías completas en nuestro sitio web.

5 Tips for Eating with ALS

It’s crucial to focus on your nutrition and hydration after an ALS diagnosis. We understand the challenges of maintaining weight and changes in the ability to chew and swallow. That’s why we’ve compiled “5 Tips for Eating with ALS,” a guide filled with actionable advice to support you.

Discover how to increase your calorie intake effectively without enlarging food portions, the significance of choosing the right kinds of liquids, and the role desserts play in your nutrition. Additionally, we provide insights into aids that can simplify eating and drinking, and guidance on when a feeding tube might be beneficial for you.

Our resources combine expertise from medical professionals, caregivers, and those living with ALS. Embrace a diet that enhances your quality of life and supports longevity with this disease.

Get Moving in May at Team Race for ALS Events

Join us this May for an inspiring weekend of running events! Kick off with the Lew Blond Memorial 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, May 18, in Northbrook, IL, to honor the memory of Lew Blond, a beloved teacher and ALS warrior. A day of fun awaits with activities for all ages, including the Little Lew 50-yard dash.

If a longer run is more your speed, come on out Sunday, May 19, to Maggie Daley Park in Chicago, for the Life Time Chicago Spring Half Marathon & 10K. Experience the breathtaking Lake Michigan shoreline and celebrate your achievement with a vibrant Spring Market Finish Festival.