Our Impact in 2021
People living with ALS and their families come first in everything we do, and everything we do supports the search for effective treatments and cures for ALS. See below for a quick snapshot of some of the accomplishments of the chapter over the last year thanks to donor support!
544
People with ALS Served in Oregon and SW Washington
Care Services Success
Thank you for making 2021 such a robust and impactful year for The ALS Association
Oregon and SW Washington Chapter! Your advocacy and contributions made a
tangible difference, empowering people with ALS and families to remain active,
connected, and engaged. Over the past year we refined our virtual suite of care services, offering optimal flexibility for the people we serve – while adding new ones.
Chapter Grant Program
Our chapter increased the amount of financial assistance available by 11% last year, providing a boost to families during the pandemic. Funds helped people living with ALS and their caregivers with things like respite care, co-pays and home modifications. Our chapter funded $146, 771 in financial assistance grants to families living with ALS.
379
Chapter Grants Approved
494
Pieces of Equipment Delivered
Medical Equipment Loans Program
We provided delivery and custom fitting of medical equipment like electronic wheelchairs and hoyer lifts that help individuals adapt incrementally to their ALS progression, maintain their independence and remain an integral part of their community.
ALS Research Investments
The Chapter funded two major research grants totaling $1,000,000 to support the work of ALS scientists. The awards were made possible by John Schaffers, a longtime friend of the chapter who died from ALS in 2020. Our chapter funds ALS research projects every year, but never before at this unprecedented scale.
Projects funded:
- Johns Hopkins University: One $500,000 gift supports the work of Jeffrey Rothstein, M.D., PhD, who is testing anti-sense DNA technology in the animal model of ALS to understand protein transportation in motor neurons with the goal of developing a new ALS therapy.
- Rapa Therapeutics: The second $500,000 gift supports the work of Daniel Fowler, M.D., for an early clinical trial to test the safety and efficacy of a new T-cell treatment that may reduce inflammation in motor neurons, a condition known to accelerate ALS.
$1M
Invested in ALS Research
39
Caregiver Bootcamp Participants
Caregiver Training
We piloted a weeklong online educational series in conjunction with Providence Brain and Spine Institute called, ‘Caregiver Bootcamp.’ The Bootcamp included video trainings and Q&A sessions designed to help caregivers practice self-care while proactively managing their loved one’s care. We are now holding these sessions twice per year.
Where Are Your Donations Going?
164
Support group meetings
162
Active research projects worldwide
732
ALS Clinic appointments through one of our 5 multidisciplinary centers
315
Home visits
7,237
Support communications with people living with ALS
471
People living with ALS provided with communication and technology assistance