In the relentless pursuit to better understand and treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), collaboration has become not just an ideal, but a necessity. ALS is a complex, multifaceted disease that demands a unified approach—one where research, care, advocacy, and community support come together to make a real impact on the lives of individuals diagnosed, their families and communities. That’s why partnerships, like the one between Target ALS and ALS United Greater New York, are so vital.
ALS United Greater New York (ALS United) plays an essential role in supporting those affected by ALS in the region. Through its array of services, research initiatives, and advocacy efforts, the organization is working tirelessly to improve the lives of people with ALS and their families. Their partnership with Target ALS amplifies these efforts, driving forward research that is crucial to advancing treatments.
Why Collaboration Matters in the Fight Against ALS
“Collaboration is vital in addressing ALS because the disease’s complexity demands diverse expertise and resources,” says ALS United Director of Communications & Advocacy, Tiffany Card. “By combining Target ALS’s focus on groundbreaking biomarker and therapeutic research with ALS United’s local care expertise and advocacy, we create a unified approach to improving outcomes for patients and families.”
This partnership provides a powerful platform to share knowledge, resources, and expertise, ultimately improving the quality of care available to those affected by ALS. As Tiffany explains, collaborating with Target ALS also strengthens their organization’s commitment to empowering the ALS community. Working together, Target ALS and ALS United are advancing important ALS research, including a shared focus on the development of biomarkers—critical tools for diagnosing ALS and developing more targeted treatments.
A unified approach, bringing together nonprofits, research organizations, and the ALS community, is a strategic way to ensure that progress in both care and treatment is accelerated. “Partnerships between nonprofits, researchers, and the ALS community create communication where patient needs directly inform research priorities, and discoveries benefit from immediate clinical application,” Tiffany says. “This model also amplifies advocacy, securing funding and legislative support to address ALS on a systemic level.”
She adds that the ALS community has long expressed the need for increased collaboration among organizations to unify efforts and maximize impact. “This collaboration demonstrates collective strength, compelling policymakers, and government leaders to act faster in supporting ALS initiatives. By aligning resources and expertise, these partnerships amplify advocacy efforts, secure funding, and accelerate progress toward better treatments,” Tiffany explains.
Supporting Emerging Researchers and Honoring Leadership
One important example of collaboration is ALS United’s support of the Target ALS Springboard Fellowship program, which supports emerging ALS researchers. ALS United has been instrumental in fostering the career of Dr. Kathryn Morelli, a Springboard Fellow, and her contributions to ALS research.
“Our support of the Target ALS Springboard Fellowship, particularly Fellow Dr. Kathryn Morelli, reflects our commitment to fostering the next generation of ALS researchers and driving innovation,” says Kristen Cocoman, President & CEO. “By facilitating her introduction to the broader ALS research community, we help accelerate her contributions to the field, ensuring her work is informed by and contributes to the latest advancements.”
Additionally, ALS United recently honored Dan Doctoroff, founder of Target ALS, at their Lou Gehrig Legacy Gala, recognizing his leadership and the over $250 million raised during the three-year Capital Campaign to fund ALS research through Target ALS.
“Honoring Target ALS founder, Dan Doctoroff, at our recent Lou Gehrig Legacy Gala underscored his transformative leadership in raising over $250 million for Target ALS, an effort that has dramatically expanded research and innovation. These initiatives are crucial to advancing both the scientific understanding of ALS and the practical care available to the community, bridging the gap between research and real-world impact,” Kristen explains.
ALS United’s Mission to Unite and Empower the ALS Community
ALS United’s mission is to support those living with ALS and their families, recognizing that each person’s journey with the disease is unique. Their tailored services include customized care plans, access to assistive devices, transportation to clinic appointments, and comprehensive support for caregivers.
“We tailor our services by recognizing that each ALS journey is unique. Our approach includes care plans designed by our team of specialized nurses, social workers, and care coordinators who work closely with patients and families. We offer customized support such as assistive communication devices, home modification consultations, and loan programs tailored to individual needs,” Debbie Schlossberg, Chief Care Services Officer shares.
This personalized approach ensures that families have access to the resources and support they need, while also addressing the specific challenges posed by ALS. The work of ALS United Greater New York is made possible by the support of the community. There are many ways for individuals to get involved, including participating in fundraising events like the WALK ALS program and supporting ALS research and advocacy initiatives.
“The community can contribute by participating in local fundraising events like our WALK ALS program, supporting our care services and research initiatives, and advocating for ALS funding and legislation,” Tiffany encourages. “Engaging in volunteer opportunities or spreading awareness through social media also plays a significant role. These efforts empower ALS United Greater New York to continue providing comprehensive services and support groundbreaking research.”
Every contribution helps propel the fight against ALS forward, ensuring that families and individuals impacted by ALS continue to receive the care and support they need while research efforts progress.
Looking toward the future, ALS United’s key priorities include expanding research, improving treatments, and broadening its support systems. However, ALS United also sees advocacy as an area with immense potential for collaboration.
“A key area for growth and opportunity to collaborate is advocacy. Advocating on behalf of the ALS community both at the state and federal levels is the area where large-scale collaborative efforts will continue to result in the greatest possible outcomes,” Kristen says. “It’s the space where nearly every member or organization within the ALS community is fairly united on their positions. Continuing to find ways of syncing and amplifying our messages can only result in breaking down barriers and will support our collective efforts to advance meaningful progress.”
ALS United also addresses the key challenges faced by the ALS community, including access to specialized care, financial burdens, and the rapid progression of the disease. To address these, they collaborate with ALS clinics to provide comprehensive care and ensure patients have access to clinical trials. Additionally, ALS United works to remove financial barriers by providing transportation to clinic appointments and offering financial assistance for home care, equipment, and home modifications.
A United Way Forward
The collaboration between ALS United Greater New York and Target ALS demonstrates how working together can create a multi-faceted impact for the ALS community. By combining resources, expertise, and a shared vision for the future, these organizations are making strides toward improving the quality of life for those living with ALS and advancing the scientific breakthroughs needed to develop more effective treatments.
As Kristen shares, “ALS United Greater New York is deeply committed to advancing ALS research as part of its mission to empower the ALS community. Collaborating with Target ALS strengthens this commitment by fostering a shared focus on accelerating the development of effective diagnostics and treatments. Through partnerships like this, ALS United supports projects that align with its goals, such as biomarker development and therapeutic discovery.”
Support the Global ALS Research Community
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To learn more about ALS United Greater New York’s work and how you can get involved, visit www.als-ny.org
