Les Turner ALS Foundation

The Les Turner ALS Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Chicago that provides ALS patient services; supports events, education and awareness about ALS; and funds ALS research.[1] Since it was founded, it has raised over $64 million.[2]

Les Turner ALS Foundation
Founded1977
FounderLes Turner
Typenon-profit
PurposeALS research, awareness, and patient services
Location
Key people
Andrea Pauls Backman, Executive Director
AffiliationsInternational Alliance of ALS/MND Associations
Websitelesturnerals.org

History and Programs

The Foundation was founded by Les Turner, a Chicago businessman, and his family after he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 1976.[3] Les Turner serves nearly 90 percent of ALS patients in the Chicago metropolitan area.[4]

In 1979, the Les Turner ALS Research Laboratory was opened at Northwestern Medicine. Then, in 1986, the Lois Insolia ALS Clinic was opened at Northwestern to provide patient services. It was one of the first multidisciplinary ALS clinics opened in the United States.[3][5]

In 1983, the Foundation started patient support groups.[6]

In 1992, Les Turner ALS became a founding member of the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations.[6]

In 2002, the Foundation's main event, the ALS Walk for Life was started.[6][7]

In 2014, the Les Turner ALS Research and Patient Center at Northwestern Medicine was created to "accelerate research and advance patient care". The Center was opened in addition to the continual operation of three research laboratories and the Lois Insolia ALS Clinic.[8]

In 2015, Les Turner ALS released the campaign, "Freeze ALS", along with 12 ice sculptures around Chicago for ALS Awareness Month.[9][10]

References
  1. "About the Foundation". Les Turner ALS Foundation. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
  2. "Our impact on ALS research & support". Les Turner ALS Foundation. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
  3. "History and Mission". Les Turner ALS Foundation. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
  4. Litas, Lee (2016-03-15). "Gala raises $550,000 for Les Turner ALS Foundation". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
  5. "Lois Insolia ALS Clinic". Les Turner ALS Foundation. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
  6. "History and Mission". Les Turner ALS Foundation (Internet Archive). 2015-10-04. Archived from the original on October 4, 2015. Retrieved 2016-04-29.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. "ALS Walk for Life returns to Soldier Field". ABC7 Chicago. 2015-09-26. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
  8. "Les Turner ALS Foundation Commits $10 Million for New Center". Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
  9. Pager, Tyler (2015-05-08). "Ice sculptures come to Northwestern to raise awareness for ALS, following success of Ice Bucket Challenge". The Daily Northwestern. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
  10. "ALS Awareness Month". Les Turner ALS Foundation. Retrieved 2016-04-29.

Further reading
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