About Our Chapter

The ALS Association's Oregon & SW Washington Chapter was founded in 2002 to serve the needs of those living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and their caregivers. 

The ALS Association is the only national not-for-profit health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS. ALSA covers all the bases — research, patient and community services, public education, and advocacy — in providing help and hope to those facing the disease.

The ALS Association (National Office and The ALS Association of Oregon & SW Washington) operates under a shared mission: to help people living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and to leave no stone unturned in search for the cure.

We work together to accomplish our mission. The ALS Association's Oregon & SW Washington Chapter focuses primarily on helping local patients and families live with ALS while the National Office focuses primarily on research and advocacy. The Chapter supports the National Office through revenue sharing and research contributions. The National Office supports the Chapters by providing up-to-date information and materials.

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.

Since 2002, our Chapter has been a lifeline for local people with ALS and their families.  These families turn to us for information, support groups, special equipment, respite care and guidance for coping with the day to day challenges. 

Our chapter serves the whole State of Oregon and the 6 counties in SW Washington. At any given time, there are roughly 500 people with ALS living in our area.

Until there is a cure, The ALS Association's Oregon & SW Washington Chapter is committed to providing the practical supports that people with ALS, their families and caregivers, need to cope with this life-changing disease.

More History...
Before incorporating as The Oregon & SW Washington Chapter of The ALS Association, our organization was preceded by The Burdell Memorial ALS Foundation.  The Foundation was formed to remember Richard Burdell, a Portland jazz and pop musician who died June 21 1998 after a 14-year struggle with ALS. Trumpeter, bandleader and athlete, the charismatic Burdell was a major part of Portland, Oregon’s music scene through the 1970s and mid-'80s. Later he became an inspirational example of courage and perseverance. Paralyzed everywhere except his eyes, Richard had to find new ways to communicate. Mostly he "spoke" by moving his eye toward or away from a friend or caregiver as that person recited the alphabet, slowly spelling out sentences. As a shortcut, he used a chart stocked with oft-needed phrases. Spot 17a on the chart meant "I love you," and this remains a treasured remembrance of him.