To discover treatments and a cure for ALS, and to serve, advocate for and empower people affected by ALS to live their lives to the fullest. Our core values are compassion, integrity and urgency. The Massachusetts Chapter supports people living with ALS and their loved ones through services and education. We leave no stone unturned in search for the cure of this progressive neurodegenerative disease. The Massachusetts Chapter of the ALS Association was founded on January 27, 1990, to serve the needs of those living with ALS and their caregivers. The Chapter provides no-cost services to ALS families which include support groups, home visits, insurance counseling, referrals to community resources, durable medical equipment loans, the Care Connection program, education, and support. The ALS Association is the only national non-profit health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS. We address research, patient and community services, public education, and advocacy as we provide help and hope to those facing this disease. What is ALS? ALS was first found in 1869 by French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot, but it wasn’t until 1939 that Lou Gehrig brought national and international attention to the disease. Ending the career of one of the most beloved baseball players of all time, the disease is still most closely associated with his name. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost.