Double Your Impact
Right now, your donation will have twice the impact!
Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor and Loretta and John Russo, the first $25,000 in donations will be matched!
Our Care Services are the heart of what we do at ALS United Mid-Atlantic. From the early days of a person’s diagnosis, ALS United Mid-Atlantic is there with a comforting hand and guidance to steer the way.
Social workers, nurses, and other staff members connect people living with ALS and their families with the resources they need. Durable medical equipment, peer resource groups, transportation, and other critical services are available because of the generosity of donors like you.
Learn More about Joyce’s Experience:
The very heart of ALS United Mid-Atlantic is our Care Services.
An ALS diagnosis is an intense experience flooding the mind with worrying questions. What happens next? What will my life look like? How will I cope?
ALS United Mid-Atlantic does not have all the answers, but we have been helping people with guidance and support for nearly 50 years.
People like Joyce Rawlings are blindsided by a diagnosis of ALS. Having lived and worked in the Philadelphia area her whole life, Joyce is married with two adult daughters. Prior to her diagnosis, she walked, swam, and biked, and attended yoga and Pilates classes. With the onset of ALS, Joyce has lost the use of her legs and the strength in her arms and core.
When Joyce faced the overwhelming realities of her ALS diagnosis, she found a lifeline in Melissa Coll, one of ALS United Mid-Atlantic’s five social workers. Alongside Regional Nurse Coordinator Gail Houseman, they made a visit to Joyce’s home, extending their unwavering support not just to her, but to her entire family. Melissa took special care to ensure Joyce’s daughters felt supported during this challenging time. Meanwhile, Gail’s mindfulness group and other resource groups provided crucial emotional and practical assistance that Joyce describes as “incredibly beneficial” in navigating her new reality.
Alisa Brownlee, ATP, CLIPP, CAPS, WSP, CEAC/Mastery, ALS United Mid-Atlantic’s Home Accessibility and Assistive Technology Specialist, advised Joyce and her husband, John, on safety measures to include in the construction of their new living quarters with their daughter. Her expertise not only helped create a comfortable and secure environment but also brought peace of mind to the family.
Joyce attends The ALS Certified Treatment Center of Excellence at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, both in-person and virtually. A dedicated nurse is always on hand, accessible through call, text, or email, ready to answer questions and ease anxieties. This clinic, directly supported by ALS United Mid-Atlantic, features staff members who work collaboratively within the facility, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive and compassionate care.
ALS United Mid-Atlantic offers these services – and so many others – to every person diagnosed with ALS who lives in our extensive region in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. During the most difficult times of their lives, ALS United Mid-Atlantic is there for people living with ALS and those who love them.
We are all working toward the day when ALS is a mere memory. Until then, please join ALS United Mid-Atlantic in making a positive impact on the lives of those we are privileged to serve. Today, we can positively impact the lives of those living with ALS through our actions. Join us today with your donation.