ALS Clinic Partners and Resources

Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA.org)

Founded in 1950, MDA’s mission is to relentlessly pursue our promise to free families from the life-threatening effects of 43 muscle-debilitating diseases. MDA has funded $20 million in ALS research over the past five years, with 66 active research projects underway.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has led the way for innovations in ALS science and care for nearly 70 years. MDA has dedicated hundreds of millions of dollars to ALS research and care for tens of thousands of people diagnosed with ALS and their families—in the past five years, nearly $20 million has been dedicated to ALS-related research alone. MDA’s commitment includes support for a network of multidisciplinary MDA Care Centers at top medical institutions nationwide; durable medical and respiratory equipment loan closets; clinical trial finder tools; educational and social events; and other resources. With new initiatives such as the MOVR neuromuscular disease registry and data hub, MDA is uniquely positioned to advance more clinical trials and develop new standards of ALS treatment.

Reach the MDA office by calling 800-572-1717 or emailing ResourceCenter@mdausa.org.

ALS Association (ALSA.org)

The Association strives discover treatments and a cure for ALS, and to serve, advocate for, and empower people affected by ALS to live their lives to the fullest.

The ALS Association Louisiana-Mississippi Chapter provides support to local patients and families across Louisiana and Mississippi through programs such as our Multidisciplinary Clinics, Durable Medical Equipment and Assistive Technology Loan Closets, Support Group Meetings, and ALS Resource Library. The Care Services division of The ALS Association Louisiana-Mississippi Chapter provides patients, caregivers, family members, friends and healthcare workers with a variety of resources to guide and assist in coping with and learning more about ALS.

Reach your local ALS Association chapter by calling Jessica Boykin, DHA, LMSW, Care Services Director (225) 343-9880 ext 3 or emailing jessica.boykin@alsalams.org.

Team Gleason (TeamGleason.org)

Team Gleason is a local ALS-focused community organization founded by former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason and his wife Michel, after Steve’s 2011 diagnosis of ALS. Team Gleason’s mission is to continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in living with ALS. In general, Team Gleason provides assistance in the following areas:

• Adventures: Financial and planning assistance, as available, for extraordinary life adventures for individuals with ALS.
• Communication: Copay assistance for communication devices for people living with ALS as funds are available, or loaner devices as available.
• Mobility: Grants are available for several items typically not funded through insurance, such as seat elevators, on wheelchairs that have not yet been purchased.
• Voice/Message Banking: Team Gleason can help cover the cost of voice banking with Acapela and Model Talker programs, and can loan equipment needed to complete voice banking and message banking.
• Home Automation: Support for customized home automation packages for the rooms/areas that are most commonly utilized within the house, such as smart lights, thermostats, or door locks.
• Equipment: Assistance with obtaining equipment, including communication device mounts and equipment for computer access

To find out more about Team Gleason or to complete an application for assistance, please visit TeamGleason.org.

NEALS Mission (NEALS.org)

Our mission is to translate scientific advances into new treatments for people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Motor Neuron Disease (MND) as rapidly as possible.

To achieve our goal, NEALS functions as an academic research consortium, a contracted research organization, and a resource tool for ALS community.

NEALS Values

The NEALS consortium is committed to the principles of open scientific communication, peer review, full and open disclosure of potential conflicts of interest, and democratic governance of its organization and activities.

NEALS History

NEALS was founded in 1995 with 9 academic clinical centers in the New England area. With help from The ALS Association’s TREAT ALS Network, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and our generous donors, the NEALS membership has grown to over 100 research centers committed to performing research in ALS and MND.