Volunteer

About Us

The Evergreen Chapter was founded in January of 1999 to serve the needs of those living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and their caregivers.

The ALS Association is the only national not-for-profit health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS. ALSA covers all the bases — research, patient and community services, public education, and advocacy — in providing help and hope to those facing the disease.

The ALS Association (National Office and the Evergreen Chapter) operates under a shared mission: to empower people with Lou Gehrig's disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support, and to lead the fight to cure and treat ALS through global, cutting-edge research.

We work together to accomplish our mission. The Evergreen Chapter focuses primarily on helping local patients and families live with ALS while the National Office focuses primarily on research and advocacy. The Chapter supports the National Office through revenue sharing and research contributions. The National Office supports the Chapters by providing up-to-date information and materials.

Our accomplishments are made possible by the generosity of others. From the smallest donation to the largest gift, donors touch the ALS community with hope for the future.

You help us offer a variety of programs and services that include:

•  Monthly Support group meeting
•  Monthly Caregiver support group meeting
•  Children's programs
•  Patient education opportunities
•  Healthcare professionals education opportunities
•  Information and referrals
•  Free Equipment loan program
•  Local advocacy
•  Augmentative Communications Support
  
  

WHAT DOES THE ALS ASSOCIATION EVERGREEN CHAPTER DO?

Free Loans of Medical Equipment

Due to progressive paralysis, ALS patients often need special equipment for their care and comfort. The ALS Association Evergreen Chapter helps maintain a "loan closet" of wheelchairs, walkers, lifting devices, hospital beds, bath and toilet seats. Durable Medical Equipment can be very expensive. The Evergreen Chapter loans needed equipment FREE OF CHARGE to ALS patients.

Augmentative Communication Programs 

Many individuals with ALS experience a reduction in speech clarity and/or an inability to speak as a result of the weakness of the muscles involved in speaking.  Difficulty with or an inability to speak does not have to result in the loss of communication.  Many devices are available to assist with communication needs.  These devices range from low-tech communication boards to complex computer systems that can be operated with minimal movement.

The Chapter’s Augmentative Communication Loan Program offers communication devices for loan to individuals without insurance coverage or who are awaiting insurance approval.  The type of equipment loaned is based on each person’s needs and the availability of equipment.

Many insurance providers will cover at least a portion of the cost of a communication device.  Most insurance programs require an assessment by a Speech Language Pathologist. 

Home Visits

Many questions about successfully living with ALS can be answered by a visit with one of our Patient Services Staff. Receive comprehensive information about ALS, including treatment options, home adaptation information and resources for your health care needs.

Support of ALS Clinics

Physicians and staff at ALS clinics work to provide a multi-disciplinary clinic that brings together physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapists, dietitians, social workers, nursing staff and physicians in a single setting. They specialize in ALS and provide services for patients, their needs and the needs of their caregivers, which change throughout the course of the disease. Specialists in ALS Clinics are familiar with the disease's many manifestations.

Advocacy and Public Policy

The ALS Association Evergreen Chapter is actively advocating the federal and state governments, federal agencies and other national organizations for research, health & long-term care, and caregiver support. 

The ALS Association and its network of volunteers were instrumental in the historic passage of the 24-month Medicare waiver for ALS patients and the recent presumptive disability ruling from the Social Security Administration. The ALS Community’s involvement in advocacy has also led to increased federal funding for ALS research at the NIH and federal funding for ALS research through the Department of Defense, a first for our organization!

Support Groups

Each month we hold support group meetings throughout the region. The support groups provide the opportunity for people to share their experience and what they are learning in their journey with ALS. There is strength in numbers as the saying goes and we encourage people to come out and be strengthened. We now have an online chat which is especially helpful for people challenged by the logistics of getting out of the house.Here is a complete listing of the Support Groups available.