Nashville – The ALS Association, the country’s largest nonprofit organization devoted to curing and caring for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), thanked the Tennessee General Assembly and Governor Lee for including $1.0 million to support ALS patients and caregivers in the state.
“State lawmakers can play a critical role in making ALS livable for everyone, everywhere by investing in research for treatments and cures, and for making sure people living with ALS in their states have access to high quality care. This funding not only enhances the quality of life for people living with ALS in Tennessee, it’s also a smart investment that will save the state money in the long term,” said Calaneet Balas, President and CEO of The ALS Association. “We are especially grateful for Senator Bo Watson and Representative Esther Helton-Haynes for their leadership, and thank the entire General Assembly for their support.”
ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that results in the death of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing the muscles in the body to gradually weaken. This leads to the loss of limb function, difficulty breathing, paralysis, and eventually death. There is currently no known cause or cure for the disease.
“I was honored to sponsor an amendment in the state’s budget that invested heavily in ALS awareness and research which are both essential to finding effective treatment and cure,” said Senator Bo Watson.
I personally know two people battling the disease. It takes courage to fight ALS and I was honored to sponsor the budget amendment to help these patients and their families,” said Representative Esther Helton.
Funds will be dispersed to help people living with ALS and their families throughout Tennessee by providing support for existing ALS Clinics, as well as direct grants to patients. The ALS Association’s respite and home modification grants allow people living with ALS and their families to help offset costs associated with widening doorways, installing wheelchair ramps, or creating accessible bathroom facilities.
“I know firsthand just how physically and financially difficult an ALS diagnosis is. This commitment clearly shows that our lawmakers recognize the need to help make ALS a livable disease until we can ultimately find a cure,” said Matthew Harrison, President of The ALS Association’s Tennessee Leadership Board.
The ALS Association is the largest philanthropic funder of ALS research in the world. The Association funds global research collaborations, assists people with ALS and their families through its nationwide network of care and certified clinical care centers, and advocates for better public policies for people with ALS. The ALS Association is working to make ALS a livable disease while urgently searching for new treatments and a cure.
For more information about The ALS Association, visit our website at als.org.
