Brian Wallach and his wife Sandra Abrevaya founded I AM ALS in 2019 to revolutionize how we cure ALS. We use political organizing methodology to give those impacted by this devastating and isolating disease a community and purpose. I AM ALS is now a national movement supporting people living with and impacted by ALS and leveraging their expertise to change policy, multiply research funding, and speed access to treatments. We couldn’t do all the amazing things we do without YOU.
Want to join the movement to end ALS? That’s great. There are so many ways to join. Read the descriptions below and check boxes on the right to sign up for volunteer opportunities that interest you.
Volunteer for a community team:
These teams are led by people living with or impacted by ALS. They’re self-organized around a shared focus, strategy, and goals. These teams meet for an hour weekly or every other week. Click below to learn more about community teams that may be a good fit for you!
- Veterans Community Team: The Veterans Team raises awareness for veteran-specific ALS issues and connects veterans with resources to improve their quality of ALS care. Read more.
- Community Fundraising Team: This team focuses on expanding broadband access while supporting efforts dedicated to raising awareness and funds for ALS.
- Youth Lou Gehrig Day Team: The Youth Lou Gehrig Day Team works to raise ALS Awareness, promote Lou Gehrig Day, celebrate his legacy, engage and inspire millions of kids to advocate on behalf of people living with ALS, and unite the ALS community for a memorable day. Read more.
- Lou Gehrig Day Team: The Lou Gehrig Day Team works to bring awareness of ALS, Lou Gehrig Day, and Lou’s legacy and bring together the ALS community for an incredible day. Read more.
- Many Shades of ALS Team: This Community Team brings attention to and provides resources with the mental, physical, and social health of people of color living with and impacted by ALS. Read more.
- Legislative Affairs Team: The Legislative Affairs Team advocates to secure federal funding and change public policy to accelerate ALS treatments, cures, and support those living with ALS and their loved ones. Read more.
- Clinical Trials Team: The Clinical Trials Team works directly with researchers, government agencies, and drug sponsors to ensure accessibility, efficiency, and humaneness of ALS drug and therapy development and approval, and collects and distributes information regarding clinical trials and the latest research to the ALS community. Read more.
- Community Outreach Team: This team engages, educates and empowers ourselves and others for the purpose of raising awareness of ALS and the movement within the ALS community and the general population. Read more.
- Thank You Squad: The Thank You Squad cultivates donor relationships through a personalized touch individual donor touch. Read more.
- Team Up for ALS: To build a unified ALS advocacy partnership to engage athletic entities and high-profile sports figures in raising awareness, funding research, and supporting the ALS community.
Get or provide support:
I AM ALS’ Peer Support programs are more than just pairing people together—it is its own special, connected community. The bonds between our mentors, mentees, and peer support specialists grows as they move together through challenges and victories, finding purpose and healing with each other. Does this sound like a community you’d like to join? Learn more.
Find community:
There are even more ways to find community at I AM ALS! Scribes of Strength gathers ALS advocates to share their story through the power of the written word, and raise awareness of the impact of ALS. Social hours offer an easy way to drop in and hang out with other advocates. Or join one or more of our six support groups for people living with ALS and caregivers.
Join the Core:
Don’t have the time or ability to join a community team, but still want to become an I AM ALS volunteer and support projects and community teams? Join The Core to help advocates accomplish their plans! The Core is a listserv where I AM ALS staff and volunteers share advocacy opportunities that you can choose to participate in. Think of The Core as a group of ALS advocates ready to help other ALS advocates when they are able. Everyone who joins a community team automatically becomes a member of The Core.