About Our Chapter

The ALS Association is the only national not-for-profit organization completely dedicated to fighting ALS.

Our work covers all the bases — research, patient and community services, public education, and advocacy — in providing help, support, and hope to those facing the disease. The ALS Association and the St. Louis Regional Chapter operate under a shared mission— to improve the lives of people living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and to leave no stone unturned in search of treatments and a cure.

In 2018, our Chapter:

• Served 725 people with ALS and their family members.
• Cared for 208 patients in our Clinics & ALS Association Treatment Centers.
• Loaned 177 pieces of durable medical equipment to people with ALS in eastern Missouri and southern and central Illinois.
• Supplied 705 cases of nutritional supplements to people with ALS who can no longer chew or swallow.
• Provided 3,600 hours of respite care to ALS caregivers.

The ALS Association St. Louis Regional Chapter is committed to:

• Serving as a public policy advocate for people with ALS. We work on a local, state and national scale to make sure policies serve the best interests of ALS patients and caregivers, to secure funding for ALS research, and to empower patients to speak out to their representatives.

• Providing a robust, multidisciplinary approach to treatment of ALS. We have clinics throughout our service area, each with a team of doctors that can provide complete care to ALS patients — all under one roof. This multifaceted approach to care for ALS patients is scientifically proven to extend the lives of people living with ALS.

• Caring for people and families living with ALS. We provide exceptional care services and the latest resources and information for people with ALS, their families and caregivers. All of our services are provided free of charge.

Our accomplishments are made possible by the generosity of others. From the smallest donation to the largest gift, donors touch the ALS community with hope for the future.

History of The ALS Association St. Louis Regional Chapter

The ALS Association, St. Louis Regional Chapter had its beginnings in December 1983. That year, a local businessperson, Ronald Flowers was diagnosed with ALS. When neither he nor his business partner, R. Scott Davis was able to locate adequate information regarding the disease. A business trip to New York resulted in a list of over 200 area individuals who had contacted the NY office for information.

Individuals o­n the list were contacted for interest in organizing a support group. Twenty people responded. Following an organizational meeting, the first support group meeting was held in April 1984. More than 50 individuals attended and The ALS Association, St. Louis Regional Chapter was formed. Initial programs consisted of monthly support group meetings, a resource book for ALS families, and a bi-monthly newsletter. During the first year several successful fund-raisers were conducted to support local programs and fund ALS research. In August 1987, the Association affiliated with and became a chapter of the ALSA national organization.

The ALS Association St. Louis Regional Chapter was founded to serve ALS patients and their families. The Association continues to focus o­n patient services with an additional emphasis o­n public awareness, community/professional education, advocacy, and research.