Target ALS

"You come to this realization that nobody is coming to save you; this is your life.” Theresa says. “Then you get to make the decision, are you going to be happy through it, despite the challenges that you’re faced with?” For nine years, Theresa Whitlock-Wild has been the heart and soul of her family’s journey with ALS. As her husband Matt’s caregiver, she’s faced sleepless nights, countless sacrifices, and heartbreak—yet through it all, she’s chosen love, hope, and purpose. Together, Theresa and Matt founded Matt's Place Foundation to provide something they know too many families lack: a safe place to live, the resources to adapt, and the hope to keep going. But Theresa’s journey is about more than caregiving. It’s about showing us all that even in life’s darkest moments, you can create light for others. Their story is one of resilience. Of mourning the life they once knew while building something extraordinary for families like theirs. Of turning love into action, even when the odds are stacked against them. Discover how Theresa’s unshakable strength and Matt’s uncrushable spirit are transforming lives. Read their story here: https://bit.ly/4hZX1Ul Donate today and double your impact: https://bit.ly/4fWUtEL #NationalCaregiversMonth #MattPlaceFoundation #ALS #ALSResearch #EveryoneLives #DoubleYourImpact

I was fortunate to be honored by three outstanding organizations in the past week. ALS United Greater New York (the Jacob Javits Lifetime Achievement Award), Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory with my wife, Alisa (the Double Helix Medal). Both of those were for the impact Target ALS has on research on ALS. And the final one was from The Shed (NY) (the Dan Doctoroff Disruptor Award) for my contributions to New York City and building The Shed. ALS United and BBDO Worldwide made a excellent, emotional short film about living with ALS. https://wdrv.it/877f24ff4

Double your impact! Every dollar you donate from today through December 31st will be matched up to $100,000, meaning your gift will have DOUBLE the power to advance groundbreaking research and bring hope to thousands of families navigating the challenges of ALS. ALS is a relentless, progressive disease that affects each person differently, but often advances at a rapid pace. For individuals and families facing ALS, time is precious, and every moment counts. At Target ALS, we're breaking down barriers to accelerate research with one bold vision: Everyone Lives. Your donation today could be the catalyst for tomorrow’s breakthroughs in ALS research. Join us now to get a head start on this Giving Season and help us reach our $100,000 match goal: https://bit.ly/3OibPA6 Thank you to three generous families for donating this matching gift in honor of Dan and Alisa Doctoroff. #ALSResearch #ALS #EveryoneLives #GivingTuesday

"I hope no family or friends ever have to go through this. I wouldn’t even wish this on an enemy.” – Jeff Yates For Jeff, living with ALS is a daily battle, one he faces alongside his daughter Ashley, who became his primary caregiver at just 24. Together, they navigate the challenges of this relentless disease with courage, resilience, and hope. For Jeff and Ashley, a coordinated and collaborative approach to ALS research represents that hope — the belief that every biofluid given, every data point, and every insight can help build a world where everyone with ALS lives. At Target ALS, we are committed to making that hope a reality, standing with families like theirs as we work to drive breakthroughs together. Read their powerful story and join the fight against ALS: https://bit.ly/3ObBV85 #NationalCaregiversMonth #CaregiversMonth #ALS #ALSResearch #EveryoneLives #Collaboration

We are excited to announce that a validated pTDP-43 antibody, a crucial tool for ALS research, is now accessible to the global research community through the Target ALS Reagents Core in collaboration with Dr. Len Petrucelli and DSHB. Developed by the Petrucelli Lab, this antibody targets the pTDP-43 protein, whose aggregation is a defining feature in 97% of ALS cases. Historically, pTDP-43 antibodies have been difficult to source and often lacked robust validation. Target ALS is committed to breaking down barriers and democratizing access to essential research tools. By offering this high-quality, validated antibody for a nominal fee, ALS researchers across the globe will be able to further their important work Learn more: https://bit.ly/4emC1UY #EveryoneLives #pTDP34 #ALSResearch

Target ALS is remembering and honoring former board member Dr. Mike Poole, who recently passed away. ? Dr. Poole joined the Target ALS board in 2016, contributing invaluable insights, leadership, and dedication that advanced our mission to accelerate ALS research and bring hope to those affected by the disease. ? A visionary in neuroscience, he was a true leader in the fields of neurology and drug development for over three decades, serving in both small and large biotech companies. ? We remember Dr. Poole for his achievements, passion, and humanity. His impact on Target ALS and the neuroscience community will be felt for years to come. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him. His memory will inspire us as we strive for a future where everyone with ALS lives.

Access to ALS care and research shouldn’t depend on where someone lives or the resources they have. Dr. Ramita Karra, a neurology resident at UCLA captures this perfectly: "We will need to devise creative solutions to bring care to those patients who are unable to shoulder the burden of coming to clinic." In response, Target ALS is launching community-based pop-up clinics across the country. These one-day events aim to bring critical ALS research opportunities directly into communities that have been historically underrepresented in research, reducing the need for travel or extensive time commitments. Each pop-up clinic offers individuals with ALS, as well as healthy participants, the chance to make a significant impact with a single blood draw. By participating in this study, you can contribute essential genetic and environmental data that will help us better understand ALS across diverse populations, ensuring that future treatments are as inclusive and effective as possible. This initiative not only makes ALS research more accessible but helps to create a truly inclusive dataset; one that reflects the diversity of the ALS community across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Read more on the critical need for diversity in ALS research: https://bit.ly/3ACRXoi Stay tuned to learn about upcoming pop-up clinics in your community. #ALSResearch #Diversity #ALS #EveryoneLives

This Veterans Day, Target ALS honors the brave service of our veterans and their vital role in advancing ALS research. Military veterans are 1.5 to 2 times more likely to develop ALS compared to civilians, and today, more than 16% of those living with ALS are veterans. This stark reality makes veterans a crucial population for research as we work to understand the environmental and genetic factors that drive ALS. Dr. James Orengo, an expert at Baylor College of Medicine who works closely with the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC), offers valuable insights into this demographic. He explains, "Veterans are a unique population that may shed new light on the role of the environment towards developing ALS." Veterans' exposure to hazardous materials, physical training, and other environmental factors make them a key group for advancing our understanding of the disease. At Target ALS, we are focused on breaking down barriers in ALS research to ensure the development of effective treatments for everyone, including veterans. On this Veterans Day, we honor not only their service but their critical role in the fight against ALS. Read more: https://bit.ly/3YyvdNW #VeteransDay #ALSResearch #TargetALS #EveryoneLives

As we honor National Caregivers Month this November, we recognize the strength and dedication of those caring for loved ones with ALS. Zach Hall, neuroscientist, co-founder, and board member of Target ALS, reflects on his experience caring for his wife, Julie: “If I regret anything, it’s that I didn’t take enough time just to sit with her and reminisce... We never had time to say, ‘Haven’t we had a nice life together?’” Julie passed away at age 72 on February 21, 2022, but she was far more than a woman living with ALS. She was a renowned English horn player with the San Francisco Symphony for over 25 years and founded Fish Creek Music to support fellow musicians. Known for her generosity and humor, she volunteered at a soup kitchen in San Francisco and a free clinic in Wyoming, where she and Zach retired. As her former colleague and composer Aaron Jay Kernis remarked, “She was a gem of a person, a warm, delightful, and down-to-earth woman with a quick laugh who would suffer no fools." Zach's story reminds us that while caregiving is essential, research is equally vital. At Target ALS, we often say that “research is the highest form of care” because it is the foundation of hope for those diagnosed and their caregivers. Without research, there is no treatment, leaving those living with ALS and their families feeling helpless. Advancing research is the only path to bring real solutions and relief to those suffering from this devastating disease. Join us in raising awareness and supporting the fight to find effective treatments so we can build a world where #EveryoneLives. Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/4hAaNgn Donate today: https://bit.ly/4hCPScq #NationalCaregiversMonth #ALSResearch #TargetALS

We are thrilled to announce the recipients of this year’s Target ALS Biomarker Consortia Grant Program, focused on pioneering the discovery and development of novel disease progression and patient stratification biomarkers. This year, we received proposals from 139 scientists across 17 different countries, and 14% of these innovative projects were awarded funding. In total, 5 outstanding projects involving 22 scientists were funded, with each grantee showcasing their commitment to advancing novel biomarkers for ALS. Biomarkers are essential for stratifying patient populations, tracking disease progression, and enhancing the efficiency of clinical trials. We congratulate the recipients and wish them the best in their critical work. Swipe through to learn more about these groundbreaking projects and the brilliant minds behind them, as we continue striving for a future where #EveryoneLives. Read full project summaries and more: https://bit.ly/48CG3Y4 #ALSResearch #TargetALS #ALS #RadicalCollaboration