May is ALS Awareness Month! In the lives of families facing ALS and in advancing the search for effective treatments and cures, every moment matters. This month, we will hear many stories from the ALS community to inspire and build connections, and to raise critically-needed awareness and support for our mission and vision.
During the next 31 days, we will also share important facts about ALS, updates on promising scientific developments, information about public policy initiatives, and highlights of Golden West Chapter’s care services and wraparound model of care, provided free-of-charge to people with ALS and their loved ones.
The Chapter provides help and hope which is made possible by the many people who care about the ALS community. Here are some ways that YOU can show your support and raise ALS awareness!
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Share the facts and help others understand just how devastating this disease is. Encourage them to do the same!
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Tell your story and let your voice be heard. Let people know why you’re helping to fight ALS and about the need for increased research funding, public policy improvements, and access to care.
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Recruit your friends to like and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Like and share our posts and don’t forget to use the hashtags: #ALS and #ALSAwareness.
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Become an ALS advocate and help advance important public policy initiatives to benefit the ALS community.
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Sign up for or donate to our many Community Outreach events. Whether you want to walk, run, ride, hike, roll, or watch our livestream, your participation will help raise ALS awareness and support.
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Make a gift to the Golden West Chapter. Every dollar makes a difference in the lives of so many and accelerates the search for effective treatments and cures.
It is only together that we will defeat ALS
Raise awareness and support by changing your profile picture on Facebook and Twitter. You can generate a special profile picture using our special ALS Awareness Month profile frame through Twibbon. First you use "Twibbon" to create a special profile picture to show support for ALS Awareness Month. Then, you download it, and use it to replace your current profile photo on FB, Twitter, and Instagram!
You can also share these Facts About ALS on social!
May 3 - 27, 2022: Hope Lives: Art for ALS
You are invited to join Hope Lives: Art for ALS, an educational fundraising art exhibition at the San Francisco Women Artists Gallery opening in May, during ALS Awareness Month. A portion of the proceeds from the art sales are being donated to The ALS Association Golden West Chapter. There will be artwork representing 13 Bay Area artists featuring clay sculpture, collage, mixed media, encaustic, acrylic and oil paintings. This month-long exhibition, featuring the three special events below, will inspire hope, give comfort, and share the collective power of knowledge and art in support of The ALS Association Golden West Chapter.
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Thursday, May 12 from 2:30 - 4:30 pm: Wine Tasting & Artist Talk featuring two wines from Lloyd Davis of Sonoma’s Corner 103 wines, followed by artist presentations and a Q & A. Wines will be available for purchase with 20% of all sales donated to the Golden West Chapter. Learn more!
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Thursday, May 19 from 1:30 - 3:30 pm: Please join us on our ALS Awareness & Education Day! You can meet us IN PERSON at the SF Women Artists Gallery. We will also lead a 30-minute ONLINE program, starting at 2:00 pm, which will include special guest speakers to educate the public about ALS and our mission. Attendees to the in person and virtual event can participate in a collaborative mandala art project! Join us in person or online!
Please visit hopelivesartforals.org for more information.
Collaborative Mandala Art Project, May 3 - 27, 2022
As a part of Hope Lives: Art for ALS, we are working together as a community to create collaborative artwork that will be auctioned off at the Golden West Chapter’s Champions for Cures and Care Celebration! When you visit the Artists Salon, be sure to add your personal design to the Collaborative Mandala Art Project. The shining sun artwork (example top left) is an example of what our collaborative art will look like once everyone sends in their pattern blocks (examples top right). When added together, your pattern blocks will be transformed into the shapes that make up the larger design. If you are unable to make it to the gallery, you can also participate virtually! Find out more.
Sisters, Mothers, and Champions for the ALS community
In celebration of ALS Awareness Month and Mother's Day, the Golden West Chapter is proud to spotlight Lynn Giovannelli, Susanne Miller, and Melissa Stephens. These three sisters, with seven sons between them, were always committed to spending time together, even with their busy careers and living in different states. But when Lynn was diagnosed with ALS, raising awareness and support became a family matter. Learn more.
Saturday, May 14: SoCal Ride and Rally to Defeat ALS
Please join us IN PERSON in the beautiful Conejo Valley on Saturday, May 14! Our 6th annual SoCal Ride and Rally to Defeat ALS will feature fully supported routes including support vehicles, and rest stops with snacks and hydration. Cross the finish line filled with inspiration, and enjoy our fantastic festival with live music and delicious food and beverages. If you are unable to attend in person, we invite you to sign up as a virtual participant and experience our live-streamed programming, brought to you from the start line and stage. Please register today to Ride and Rally your way! For questions, send us an email at socalride@ridetodefeatals.org today!
Sunday, May 15: Youth Action Day
Youth Action Day is an annual campaign during May, which is ALS Awareness Month, to engage kids and teenagers in the fight against ALS. We encourage young people to set aside time to participate in the ALS Youth Challenge, taking meaningful action dedicated towards raising awareness and support for the ALS community. Please plan to share your Youth Action Day project with our Chapter’s Family Outreach Specialist, Janelle Webb, at jwebb@alsagoldenwest.org so we can publicly recognize your contribution towards defeating ALS!
Golden West Chapter May Events
We are HERE to support YOU: Online Support Group Meetings
The Golden West Chapter offers many Online Support Group Meetings. Experience all of the benefits of attending an in-person support group from the comfort of your own home. Please visit our Chapter's online calendar for monthly updates, such as guest speakers, new meetings and date changes.