The ALS Association supports over 300 patients and families with ALS in the Garden State, and the trained professionals and support staff Greater Philadelphia Chapter cover all the bases through research, advocacy, and patient services in Southern New Jersey. Patients and families in the area use the ALS Association Certified Clinic at the Pennsylvania Hospital and rely on the Greater Philadelphia Chapter for our specialized services and programs to help them live fuller lives with ALS while joining together in hope for a cure.

Ocean City Board...Walk to Defeat ALS^(R)

The Walk to Defeat ALS^(R) is The ALS Association's signature event. In 2012, the Ocean City Board...Walk to Defeat ALS^(R) raised over $250,000 and the Chapter's total from seven Walk events was over $1.5 million. Over 12,000 people participated in a walk and thousands more contributed, making 2012 our most successful year yet.

Click here to sign up for the Walk to Defeat ALS^(R)

Click here to watch a video on our successful 2012 Walk season.

 

Phillies Phestival

The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter is proud to be the principal charity of the Philadelphia Phillies. Ever since Chapter President Ellyn Phillips' mother Malvina Charlstein convinced the Phillies that "ALS belongs in baseball," there has been a strong partnership to cover all the bases for families living with Lou Gehrig's Disease. In 2012, the annual Phillies Phestival raised an incredible $858,340, bringing the total raised by the Phillies to fight ALS since 1984 to an amazing $13.5 million.

Read more about the Chapter's History here

 

ALS Express

The ALS Express is a non-competitive bike-a-thon that’s fun for people of all ages and riding abilities. Join hundreds of cyclists for a ride through scenic southern NJ. Enjoy the support of wonderful volunteers who cheer-on the riders and help provide a worry-free cycling experience. Upon arrival at the end-point in Wildwood, NJ, the summertime fun begins! No other charity bike ride in the area offers an exceptional endpoint like this!

Click here to learn more about the ALS Express Bike Ride on June 15, 2013 and sign up today!

ALS Certified Clinic at Pennsylvania Hospital

The ALS Association certified clinic at the Penn Medicine Neuroscience Center at Pennsylvania Hospital offers the Philadelphia region's most current and comprehensive care for people with ALS. Patients see up to a dozen specialists in one visit, receiving compassionate care and valuable expertise. The ALS Clinic is run by Medical Director Le McCluskey, MD, MBE and Associate Medical Director Lauren Elman, MD. The clinic also includes ALS Clinic Coordinator Mary Kelley, MSN, RN, CRNP; Nurse Research Coordinator Kelly Almasy, RN; Pulmonologist Susan Gregory, MD; Clinical Manager for Assistive Technology Services Alisa Brownlee, ATP; Director of ALS Patient Services Brenda Edelman, LCSW, BCD; Mental Health Nurses Connie Eriksson, RN, CNS-BC and Jennifer Klapper, RN, CNS-BC; Regional Nurse Coordinator Gail Houseman, RN, CNS-BC; Speech-Language Pathologist Merisa Palovcak, MS, CCC-SLP/L; Physical Therapist Shelly Lewis, MPT; Occupational Therapist Scott Rushanan, MS, OTR/L; Respiratory Therapist Melonie Mitchell, RRT; Genetic Counselor Elizabeth McCarty Wood, MS, CGC; and Social Workers Melissa Coll, MSW and Susan Schwartz, ACSW, LSW.

The ALS Association Clinic at Pennsylvania hospital is funded through the Walk to Defeat ALS^(R), the Phillies Phestival, and other Chapter related events and support.

ALS Advocacy

Patients, families, caregivers and other friends and allies join together every year to give voice to ALS issues in New Jersey and Washington, where we have created strong allies like Congressman Chris Smith and Senator Robert Menendez. ALS advocates have successfully lobbied Congress to support millions of dollars in ALS research, reauthorize the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, support veterans diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease, and to create the ALS Registry.  As part of their partnership, the ALS Association and the Centers for Disease Control are conducting outreach activities nationwide to educate people with ALS and their families about the ALS Registry and provide them with important guidance, tools, and information. Sign up today to be a part of the ALS Patient Advocacy Coalition.

The Lea R. Powell Patient Services Program

The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter Covers All the Bases in fighting Lou Gehrig's Disease, and that includes a heavy emphasis on quality patient care. We provide a wide range of support through the Lea R. Powell Patient Services Program, including our ALS Clinics, Resource Groups, Van Transportation,Respite Care, Home Care, Assistive Technology, Equipment Loans, and home improvements with the Cox Family Fund for Accessibility.

 The Chapter is able to provide these services through generous support from the Philadelphia Phillies, the Walk to Defeat ALS^(R) , Community Partner events,Named Funds, and other gifts throughout the year.

Click here to read about how the Patient Services Program helps people like Milt Sierra of Cherry Hill, NJ.