The Als Association - Central & Southern Ohio Chapter

Patient services and support: the Als association central & southern Ohio chapter provides a wide range of services to people who have been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Als) or lou gehrig's disease and to their family members. Services include case management by medical and healthcare professionals who assist patients, spouses, and caregivers in knowing how to prepare and deal with various aspects (physical, psycho- social, and financial) of being diagnosed with this devastating, terminal illness. In addition, the chapter provides equipment loans, monthly support groups, staffing and partnering with Als clinics (ohiohealth in columbus and university of cincinnati-drake), a patient grant program and children's Als resources. All of these services are provided, free of charge. During this period, over 522 people living with Als were served; 926 individuals attended ten monthly support group meetings; there were 133 in home/in office patient visits; 110 child and teen backpacks provided; 335 patient visits to 2 multidisciplinary Als clinics, and more than 726 of over 1,500 pieces of equipment loaned out. During fiscal year 2021, the chapter was able to continue its patient grant program. Total grants provided equaled 169,294 and gave much needed financial support to 220 people living with Als. Grants are awarded based upon eligibility applications that are reviewed and approved by chapter staff.

Advocacy and research: the Als association central & southern Ohio chapter supports the efforts of our national organization to fund scientific research grants to doctors/scientists to find the cause and cure for Als. In addition to financial support, the chapter actively develops relationships with local Als researchers funded by the association, inviting them to present their new projects and their findings to local support groups and to write articles for posting in chapter newsletters. The chapter also facilitates opportunities for local Als researchers to educate patients about specific research projects and drug trials and to recruit patients to voluntarily participate in those efforts.

Public awareness: the Als association central & southern Ohio chapter provides in-service training to healthcare providers so they are better prepared to care for Als patients. Staff and volunteers speak to community organizations, school groups, and the general public about Als and the need for local services, support and about the need for research to find effective treatments and a cure for Als. Chapter staff work with local radio stations, newspapers/publications and television stations to acquire coverage when possible to educate the general public about Als, our free services and to encourage the public to attend our chapter-sponsored events. The chapter partners with local athletic teams - major league and minor league baseball) to host Als awareness events to honor an individual with Als, to provide information about the disease and to direct others with Als to the free services the chapter provides. The chapter partners with our national organization's public policy department and Als volunteers to educate members of the Ohio congressional delegation about Als and the need to increase awareness and resources to people affected by this disease. Chapter staff and volunteers meet with various state of Ohio legislators to educate them about Als, about the free services we provide in the community and the need for additional resources to help support people in Ohio with Als.