Mission, Vision and Impact
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 Vision
An end to ALS.
Our History
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. Before the Foundation, there were no supports available for people living with ALS.
What We Do
ALS Northwest symbolizes the hopes of people everywhere that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis will one day be a disease of the past, conquered by the dedication of thousands who have worked ceaselessly to understand and eradicate this perplexing killer.
Until that day comes, ALS Northwest relentlessly pursues its mission to help people living with ALS and to leave no stone unturned in the search for a cure for this progressive neurodegenerative disease.
Care Services
We support hundreds of people with ALS every year with a comprehensive program of care services. ALS Northwest is committed to enhancing the quality of life of people living with ALS through the many free programs we offer to individuals and families affected by ALS. We understand the value of those with the disease being able to communicate, function safely in their home, and travel to ALS Clinics for comprehensive evaluation and treatment. Our programs are designed to meet these essential care needs as well as the emotional needs of those in our community and caregivers. Our services are available to people with ALS in the entire State of Oregon and six counties of SW Washington: Pacific, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, Clark, Skamania, and Klickitat.
Advocacy
ALS Northwest focuses on state and federal advocacy for research, health & long-term care, and caregiver support. The ALS Community's involvement in advocacy has led to increased federal funding for ALS research at the NIH and federal funding for ALS research through the Department of Defense.
Research
Every aspect of our work is dedicated to advancing our mission of discovering effective treatments and ultimately eradicating ALS. This underscores the critical importance of funding exceptional ALS research. We prioritize funding the most promising research endeavors and actively cultivate innovative partnerships spanning government, industry, academia, and other nonprofit organizations. Additionally, we invest in emerging talent, nurturing young scientists to drive innovation.
Collaboration is the cornerstone of our research program. We partner with academia, industry, government, and other nonprofit organizations and lead by spurring long-lasting collaborations among researchers across all sectors, leading to globally shared data, protocols, and research samples to accelerate research progress.
Public Education & Awareness
Through community outreach, media relations, social media, and more, ALS Northwest raises awareness about ALS year-round. Our website is a vital source of information for those battling ALS and for people looking for the latest news and information about the disease. We provide an opportunity for anyone touched by this devastating disease to gather and connect with others through our many community outreach events. In addition, through our relationships with partner organizations, such as local baseball teams and with the news media, we help raise ALS awareness and support.
Impact & Financial Information
As a public charity, ALS Northwest adheres to the highest standards for operating transparently in the interest of the ALS community.
We are proud to be a part of a select group of high-performing charities that have earned a 3-Star rating from Charity Navigator and a 2024 Platinum Transparency rating from GuideStar.
People living with ALS and their families come first in everything we do, and everything we do supports the search for effective treatments and cures for ALS. Check out our Form 990 and learn how donor support made a difference in our 2023 Annual Report.