March 2026 Foundation eNews - Les Turner ALS Foundation

Registration is closing soon for the Hope Through Caring Gala

Join us on Saturday, April 11, at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel for our annual Hope Through Caring Gala. This elegant evening celebrates the courage of families like the Goldbergs and the Kostrzeskis who navigate ALS with tenacity and humor. We’ll also be honoring the remarkable achievements of both Dr. John Coleman III and Lori and Brian Andre, whose contributions to care and advocacy are paramount to our mission of a world free from ALS.

Your attendance supports the vital grants, specialized equipment, and personalized care that ensure no one in Chicagoland walks this journey alone. Together, we can provide immediate help to our community while advancing world-leading research toward a cure.

Registration closes Monday, April 1.

Secure your tickets today to enjoy dinner, drinks, and live entertainment in support of our mission to create a world free of ALS.

Tissue donation is a profound gift that offers hope through scientific research. Join us this Thursday for our next ALS Learning Series webinar, “The Gift of Discovery: Tissue Donation and the Future of ALS Research”. Dr. Lyle Ostrow from Temple University will discuss how researchers utilize donated tissue to unlock the mysteries of the disease and advance treatments.

Dr. Ostrow will guide you through the donation process, address common concerns, and explain how to make arrangements. As experts leading the fight against ALS, we are committed to providing the most comprehensive care and empowering our community with knowledge. This session is offered at no cost thanks to the Gilbert and Jacqueline Fern Foundation and Tanabe Pharma America.

Register now at the link here.

ICYMI: How Humor and High-Tech Power the Goldberg Home

In case you missed it, we recently shared the powerful story of the Goldberg family. For Dr. Andrew Goldberg, a former technology executive and father of five, living with ALS has become a mission to use his “unwanted superpower” of technology and humor to maintain his voice.

From his children stepping up as his primary care team to his daughter Rosie sharing her knowledge of neural engineering, Andrew’s story illustrates how a family can stay “in the driver’s seat” through innovation and grit. He also highlights how the Foundation has been “indispensable” by providing the specialized equipment and loaner devices—like power wheelchairs and eye-gaze technology—that ensure he can continue to communicate and lead his family.

The Goldbergs will be joining us at this year’s Hope Through Caring Gala! Tickets are available now at this link.

Read the full story at the link here.

Introducing our newest guide, ALS & Money

An ALS diagnosis brings unexpected physical and emotional changes, but the financial impact can be just as significant. At the Les Turner ALS Foundation, we believe comprehensive care means providing the tools you need to navigate these costs with confidence.

Our newest resource, ALS & Money, is an essential guide designed to help you manage common expenses—from home modifications and specialized equipment to navigating insurance and legal planning. Whether you are seeking information on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or exploring veterans’ benefits, this guide offers the clarity and support you deserve.

ALS & Money is available now on our website in both English and Spanish.

Advocating for the future of ALS research

We are committed to leading the fight against ALS, and that leadership extends to the halls of Congress. On March 4, the Les Turner ALS Foundation joined fellow advocates to hand-deliver a unified request for Fiscal Year 2027 funding priorities to the U.S. Senate and House Committees on Appropriations.

The letter urges Congress to prioritize the ALS research ecosystem, including $100 million for the ACT for ALS and $80 million for the Department of Defense’s ALS Research Program. These funds are critical to sustaining clinical trials, uncovering genetic links, and supporting veterans—who are twice as likely to develop the disease. By investing in these programs, we ensure that promising research leads to life-enhancing treatments and, ultimately, a cure.

Read the letter by clicking this link.

We invite you to share a tribute—whether a story, memory, or photo— to our Celebration of Life memorial wall, keeping the legacy of your loved one alive and reminding others they are never forgotten.

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.