ALS Support Groups

Led by professionals, ALS Support Groups provide opportunities for group members to share their personal experiences and to learn more about living with ALS. Participants learn that they are not alone nor without help or hope. Support Group meetings are free and open to all people living with ALS and their caregivers. Support Groups sometimes feature speakers on relevant topics and are designed to share information as well as strategies for preserving the independence and quality of life of both people living with ALS and their caregivers.

Regional ALS Support Groups for People Living with ALS, Family, Caregivers, and Friends

(all are welcome)

Portland

First Wednesday of every month from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Montavilla United Methodist Church
232 SE 80th Ave., Portland, OR 97215
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Amber Smith at 503-238-5559 ext. 122 or Amber.Smith@alsoregon.org

Vancouver, Washington

Second Wednesday of every month from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
at St Luke’s Episcopal Church
426 E 4th Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98663
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Susan Pennock at 503-238-5559 ext. 114 or Susan.Pennock@alsoregon.org

Beaverton

Third Wednesday of every month from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Beaverton First United Methodist Church
12555 SW 4th St, Beaverton, OR 97005
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Susan Pennock at 503-238-5559 ext. 114 or Susan.Pennock@alsoregon.org

Eugene

Second Wednesday of every month from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Hilyard Center
2580 Hilyard St, Eugene, OR 97405
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Mary Rebar at 541-990-1246 or Mary.Rebar@alsoregon.org

Bend

Alternating Virtual & In-Person meeting every other month
Second Wednesday of every month from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

In-Person: July, September, November, and January
Virtual: August, October, December, and February

In-person meetings are held at:
Westside Church
2051 NW Shevlin Park Rd, Bend, OR 97703
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Christina Riddock at 541-977-7502 or Christina.Riddock@alsoregon.org

Medford

VIRTUAL GROUP AT THIS TIME
Third Tuesday of each month from 1 p.m.- 2:30 p.m. PST
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Laura Geilenfeldt at 541-292-8775 or Laura.Geilenfeldt@alsoregon.org

Please note that the State Capitol is not currently meeting in person. We are working hard to get back in person, but for now we would suggest joining the Statewide Support Group. We will provide more details as we know them!

Learn more about our team.

Support groups are one of the many free services offered by the Chapter.

Portland Family Caregiver Group

Third Tuesday of every month at 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
The Redwood Room
6650 SW Redwood Lane, Portland, OR 97223
To attend and for questions, please contact: 
Amber Smith at 503-238-5559 ext. 122 or Amber.Smith@alsoregon.org

Vancouver, Washington Family Caregiver Group

Third Tuesday of every month at 4 p.m - 5:30 p.m.
St. Luke's Episcopal Church
E 4th Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98663
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Susan Pennock at 503-238-5559 ext. 114 or Susan.Pennock@alsoregon.org

Salem Family Caregiver Group

First Wednesday of every month at 5 p.m.
Broadway Commons, Second Floor Conference Room
1300 Broadway St NE #100, Salem, OR 97301
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Mary Rebar at 541-990-1246 or Mary.Rebar@alsoregon.org

Please note that Central Oregon Family Caregiver Group meets virtually only. Southern Oregon Family Caregiver Groups is currently on hold. We are working hard to get back in person, but for now we would suggest joining the Statewide Family Caregiver Support Group. We will provide more details as we know them!

See additional resources for family caregivers.

Oregon Statewide ALS Support Group (Virtual Group for People Living with ALS, Family & Friends)

Fourth Wednesday of each month from 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. PST
Note: The Statewide Support Group will run concurrently with our Educational Topic Call in May, June, September, and December.
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Cassy Adams at 503-238-5559 ext. 100 or Cassy.Adams@alsoregon.org

Oregon Statewide Family Caregiver Support Group

Second Tuesday of each month from 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. PST
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Christina Riddock at 541-977-7502 or Christina.Riddock@alsoregon.org

Central Oregon Family Caregiver Group

Fourth Tuesday of every month at 1 p.m.
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Christina Riddock at 541-977-7502 or Christina.Riddock@alsoregon.org

PLS (Primary Lateral Sclerosis) Support Group

Available to anyone living with a Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS) Diagnosis
Quarterly Meetings occur the first Thursdays in March, June, September, and December from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. PST

2023 Schedule:

  • Thursday, June 1 from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. PST
  • Thursday, September 7 from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. PST
  • Thursday, December 7 from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. PST

To attend and for questions, please contact:
Mary Rebar at 541-990-1246 or Mary.Rebar@alsoregon.org

Generation X/Y/Z Support Group

(Geared toward people living with ALS age 50 or younger)
Quarterly Meetings occur the Fourth Thursday’s in March, June, September, and December from 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.; please note that the June 2022 meeting will occur the Fifth Thursday of the month, June 30 from 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

2022 Schedule:

Thursday, March 31 from 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 30 from 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 22 from 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 22 from 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

ALS/FTD (Frontotemporal dementia) Family Caregiver Support Group

(Open to family caregivers with a loved one with ALS & Frontotemporal dementia)
Meetings occur the First and Third Thursday of every month from 4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Cassy Adams at 503-238-5559 ext. 100 or Cassy.Adams@alsoregon.org

Nationwide Virtual Support Group Offerings

ALS Association chapters across the country offer special interest virtual support groups to the ALS community. Check out a full list of nationwide virtual support group offerings here.

Upcoming Meetings