A new era has begun.
Across the country, many nonprofits serve the ALS community — but there is only one ALS Northwest.
Now, more than ever, we want to underscore an essential truth that we are the only organization providing direct care and support for people living with ALS in Oregon and southwest Washington. Our team travels across the region to offer in‑home visits, guidance, and connection. We work closely with ALS clinics and healthcare partners, and we show up consistently to advocate and stand alongside families throughout their journey.
This approach has been at the heart of our mission from the beginning, and it’s what sets us apart.
‘Boots on the Ground’ For 24 Years and Counting
Richard Burdell envisioned direct care and support for people living with ALS. A charismatic jazz musician who lived with ALS in Portland until 1998, Richard saw firsthand the lack of local services in Oregon and Washington during the 1990s and he knew things had to change. His dream became the foundation of our organization, which was established in 2001 by his sister, Cindy Burdell, in his memory.
Since our beginning, we have served people with ALS in their homes and local communities. Today, as ALS Northwest, we are doubling down on that commitment to continue providing compassionate, boots-on-the-ground support throughout Oregon and Washington.
What’s Next for ALS Northwest? Innovative Collaborations!
As part of our new Five-Year Strategic Plan, ALS Northwest is expanding and deepening collaborations that strengthen care, accelerate research, and amplify the voices of people living with ALS. This plan prioritizes building new partnerships while enhancing the relationships that have long supported our community.
One of our key collaborators is ALS United, a membership organization created by fifteen independent ALS organizations across the country, including ALS Northwest. This partnership enhances our collective voice, strengthens our ability to influence policy, and increases our capacity to serve families.
Research & Advocacy
Our collaborative work also includes joint advocacy efforts with partners such as I AM ALS, and ensuring that families are connected to resources through organizations like Team Gleason and Hope Loves Company. We also support research in partnership with groups such as the Robert Packard Center for ALS Research and the Innovation Research Program through the ALS Network.
As we move forward, ALS Northwest remains grounded in the identity that has carried us from our earliest beginnings: a community-driven organization shaped by local leaders and unwavering in our commitment to people living with ALS and their families. Our history reflects evolution, growth, and resilience, and our future will be guided by those same qualities. We will continue to listen, adapt, and stand beside this community, because at our core, ALS Northwest exists to ensure that no one faces ALS alone.