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 City Library
12375 SW 5th St, Beaverton, OR 97005
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Susan Pennock at 503-238-5559 ext. 114 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
Second Wednesday of every month from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Partners in Care: 2075 NE Wyatt Ct. Bend, OR 97701
(Parking Instructions: Please park at the Partners in Care Building Parking lot located at 2611 NE Courtney)
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Christina Riddock at 541-977-7502 or Christina.Riddock@alsoregon.org
Medford
In-Person: Third Thursday of each month from 1 p.m.- 2:30 p.m (rotating locations)
Virtual: First 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
State Capitol
Virtual: Third Wednesday of each month 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
Support groups are one of the many free services offered by ALS Northwest.
Central Oregon Family Caregiver Group
Virtual: 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
Oregon Statewide Family Caregiver Support Group
Virtual: 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
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
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
Southern Oregon Family Caregiver Group
Quarterly on Second Wednesdays
United Way, 60 Hawthorne St, Medford, OR 97504
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Laura Geilenfeldt at 541-292-8775 or Laura.Geilenfeldt@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
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
PLS (Primary Lateral Sclerosis) Support Group
Available to anyone living with a Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS) Diagnosis
Meetings occur every other month from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. PST
2023/2024 Schedule:
- Thursday, November 9, 2023 from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. PST - *please note* updated from November 2nd.
- Thursday, January 4, 2024 from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. PST
- Thursday, March 7, 2024 from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. PST
- Thursday, May 2, 2024 from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. PST
- July TBD!
- Thursday, September 5, 2024 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 Thursdays in March, June, September, and December from 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. PST
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Cassy Adams at 503-238-5559 ext. 100 or Cassy.Adams@alsoregon.org
ALS/FTD (Frontotemporal dementia) Family Caregiver Support Group
(Open to family caregivers with a loved one with ALS & Frontotemporal dementia)
Meetings occur the Second and Fourth Wednesday of every month from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. Hosted by Oregon Health Sciences University.
To attend and for questions, please contact:
Cassy Adams at 503-238-5559 ext. 100 or Cassy.Adams@alsoregon.org
Upcoming Meetings
If you decide to come to an ALS Support Group, come at least three times to figure out if it is right for you. The first time can be scary not knowing what you will see or hear. The second time, you feel more comfortable and start taking in more information. By the third time, you stop seeing people with ALS and just see people who are your friends and supporters.”
Janis W.
Portland, OR