Our Vision and Mission
Our Vision:
An end to ALS.
Our Mission:
To provide comprehensive support and advocacy for people with ALS and their families, while advancing research for new treatments and an end to ALS.
Our Origin Story
Before incorporating as the ALS Association Oregon and SW Washington Chapter (now ALS Northwest), our organization was preceded by The Burdell Memorial ALS Foundation. The Foundation was formed to remember Richard Burdell, a Portland jazz and pop musician who died June 21, 1998, after a 14-year struggle with ALS. Richard's sister, Cindy Burdell, is our Founder and now resides in Seattle, Washington, close to family and friends. Read The Oregonian story about Richard and his battle with ALS.