The Walk to Defeat ALS is the ALS Association’s signature event, bringing together thousands of people in more than 150 Walks across the country. Funds raised through the Walk to Defeat ALS support the ALS Association's mission of finding effective treatments and a cure for ALS, as well as providing local care and support to those affected by the disease. 

The Walk to Defeat ALS is more than just a fundraiser, it is a symbol of hope and unity, bringing together people from all walks of life who share a common goal of finding a cure for ALS. 

Baseball Legend Bob Uecker Speaks of Lou Gehrig and Losing Daughter to ALS

Bob Uecker, the former Major League Baseball player, actor, and baseball announcer, lost his daughter Leann and another close friend to ALS. In a series of national PSAs for the ALS Association, Bob shares his story, and speaks of Lou Gehrig, who became the namesake of ALS. While there is no cure for ALS, we are making progress turning it from a fatal disease into a livable one.

Whatever It Takes

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks the muscles in your body. People with ALS can go from being perfectly healthy to quickly being unable to move, swallow or breathe. The average life expectancy for someone with ALS is 2 – 5 years.   There is no cure for ALS. Yet.

Most of the time – 90% in fact – ALS strikes randomly without regard to age, race, gender or socioeconomic status.  Military veterans, however, are twice as likely as the general public to die from ALS – no matter what branch they served in, or whether they served during peace time or at war.

This campaign from The ALS Association features internationally acclaimed hair stylist Ken Paves, who was embraced by the ALS community after his mother, Helen, was diagnosed with ALS and lost her battle shortly after this PSA was filmed.  This national campaign champions the many ways the ALS community brings hope and support to those living with ALS and inspiring the public to join their fight against this fatal disease.

"I think awareness is the most important key to all of this, understanding what other people are going through, and other conditions. And the greatest way to participate in this is to honor and respect those and the families that are going through it. And know enough that when you see somebody that's struggling with this, to honor them with dignity, compassion, but not pity. And to get to know the community, understand, and get behind, and support, bring an end to this."  – Ken Paves, Celebrity Hairdresser and Beauty Expert

Challenge Me – A Campaign Highlighting the Impacts of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

In the summer of 2014, over 17 million people took the Ice Bucket Challenge and raised $115 million for The ALS Association. Since then, we’ve seen new genes discovered, new potential therapies developed, new assistive technologies created to help people with ALS, and the expansion of care services around the country. However, there still is no cure and no significant life-extending treatment for ALS. The Challenge Me campaign highlights the advancements made since the Ice Bucket Challenge while challenging the public to do anything and everything to finish what we all started.

The Reality of ALS

While most people have heard of ALS, particularly because of the Ice Bucket Challenge, they may not know much about the disease or the impact it has on people living with ALS and their families. “The Reality of ALS” campaign aims to show glimpses of daily life with ALS and devastating toll the disease takes on families. The spots feature three actual people living with ALS and their families. The spots reflect the grace, beauty, and dignity that so many people with ALS possess, while also acknowledging the harsh truth that this disease is cruel and fatal.