Paul and Kathy Tavano are no strangers to ALS. In August of 2009, Paul was diagnosed after having symptoms of weakness in his hands and muscle spasms. When he and his family heard the projected lifespan of 2-5 years after an ALS diagnosis, and how there was nothing they could do about it – they wanted to take action. CURE ALS was formed and they have since set out on a mission to change that outcome, if not for their family, for others somewhere down the road.

“When you are diagnosed, friends and family want to help but there isn’t much they can do. So we got together with a few of our close friends and we were all golfers and had been to different charity events and felt that we could put on an event and raise funds that we would earmark for research. I was very adamant that I didn’t want it to be for me, and that I wanted it to be towards research. This year will be our 11th tournament, but this year it will be virtual,” said Paul Tavano.

As the 11th Annual CURE ALS golf tournament was approaching, Paul and Kathy kept hearing that research labs and non-profits were struggling because of the lack of funding and how fundraisers were being canceled due to covid-19. They sat down and said, “ALS isn’t going to stop, so neither are we.” This year the CURE ALS golf tournament is now a virtual one. So now anyone around the country can participate, and the hope is that not only will there be more golfers, but more people becoming aware of ALS and the need for research.

“The hope is that the research that is going on will show and develop treatment and help extend the life of those who have the disease. It may or may not help me, but it will help someone down the line. I hope that somehow, someway we have been able to make a difference, and hopefully, we will be able to see that difference,” said Paul.

The Tee Up to CURE ALS virtual tournament is September 11-25th and registration is open! If you aren’t sure how to help someone you know with ALS, this is a great way to show your support and have a little fun!

“Our tournament has always been about raising funds for research, having fun, and allowing the collective group to hear what is new about ALS research. Virtually you can have fun and help support research for ALS,” said Paul.

Register Today!

For more information about CURE ALS, visit WeWillCureALS.com

ALS is an expensive disease, and one of the biggest expenses people face is the cost of medical equipment. The ALS Association’s Equipment Loan Program alleviates this financial burden by providing equipment to people with ALS for free.

COVID-19 has prevented ALS Texas from accessing equipment in our loan closet, meaning we are purchasing brand new equipment for Texans fighting ALS. Donations will keep the Equipment Loan Program operating, providing life-saving equipment to people with ALS.

Collin Hadley, person with ALS, speaks about how the Equipment Loan Program has helped his life.

“My fight against ALS has been no different. As a family, we have been determined to maintain positive attitudes and make as many memories as possible while we can. Our motto of, “Don’t Count the Days, Make the Days Count” sounds like an aspirational goal, but is only as good as the execution upon it. I’m here to tell you that the ALS Association has made it possible for me and my family to make the days count over the last four years.  

They have anticipated my needs and stepped up over and over with their ALS loaner closet.  

When I had my first falls with this disease, they got a hoyer lift in my home immediately. When it was no longer safe for me to stand up in the shower, they had a shower chair sent to me that day. When I could no longer get in the swimming pool with my kids, they found me a pool lift.  

My family and I took a trip to Colorado this past summer. The ALS Association delivered a power wheelchair to the hotel for me. On the first day, it was determined that the battery was dead and wouldn’t charge, risking me having to stay in the hotel room for the week…a representative from The ALS Association in Denver left at 6 am to make the 4.5-hour drive to get me a new loaner the next day.  These are a few of the many examples that have allowed me and my family to witness the dedication of the ALS Association.to get me a new loaner the next day.  These are a few of the many examples that have allowed me and my family to witness the dedication of the ALS Association.”

When you’re dealing with a disease that robs you of everything, this program can be life-changing. Support people with ALS today by donating to the Equipment Loan Program and our generous partner, The Barbara Ildebrando Fund, will be matching all donations up to $5,000.

Donate Today

#GivingTuesdayNow is a day when we give to causes close to our hearts, supporting nonprofits affected by COVID-19. In some way, you’ve been touched by ALS. Today is your chance to fight against it!

We Need Your Help.

Donate Now

The services we provide to people with ALS and their families are crucial. Because of the devastation COVID-19 has wreaked on the economy, the ALS Association of Texas is projecting a minimum loss of 50% which is close to $1.5 million.

Our ability to provide vital services to people with ALS and their families is at risk. People with ALS have lost so much already. Help ensure our programs are not lost, too.

It is not an exaggeration to say that I would probably not be still alive if it weren’t for the ALS Association.” – Laura, diagnosed with ALS in 2017

Today only, your donation has double the impact! Our generous partner, Respiratory Quality Services (RQS), will match every dollar up to $30,000.

We cannot let ALS defeat us. We must continue our fight. Your donation matters.

As long as I am able, I will raise my voice in the fight for those that no longer can.” – Sunny Brous Erasmus, diagnosed with ALS in 2015

Donate Now

Thank you to our generous sponsor, Respiratory Quality Services (RQS), for matching gifts this #GivingTuesdayNow. We are grateful for your continued support!

Here at the ALS Association of Texas we encourage everyone to fundraise your way by bringing your community together in creative ways for a cause! And Kimmie Longstreet and her Lil’ Linebackers are doing just that for ALS Awareness Month to honor their grandfather Brad Dusek- an ex-NFL Super Bowl Champion and person with ALS.

Brad’s nine grandchildren, the Lil’ Linebackers, gathered together on Youth Action Day, setting up multiple lemonade and ice tea stands while taking a pie in the face for every online donation. Together they raised nearly $4,300 in one day. We caught up with Kimmie to learn more about her “why” and how she’s making an impact in the ALS community:

Can you give us a quick intro about yourself? 

My name is Kimmie Longstreet, I am a stay at home mom of two little boys and the youngest daughter to an ex-NFL Super Bowl Champion who was recently diagnosed with ALS.

Can you tell us more about your motivation for creating your campaign? What inspired you to begin fundraising? 

My  motivation for fundraising for ALS was simultaneous to my father’s diagnosis.  There is so much unknown about this debilitating disease and so many people are unaware of the effects this disease has on not only the patient but all their loved ones and care takers.  The fact that the money we raise stays local to our region and we know where it is going and what it is being used for is helpful when asking for money.  Knowing that my father will be the recipient of the benefits of the money raised is huge.  Whether it be equipment or recipient to a new drug trial, or support for our family as we battle this disease with him, we know that our efforts are being realized locally to our loved one as well as other local ALS patients in our communities.

Have you done any fundraising in the past? 

My Dad was diagnosed at the MAYO clinic on September 21, 2018.  They told us about his diagnosis on September 24.  I had no idea how to help, I was still in the process of googling what ALS was when I came across the ALS association website and they were hosting an ALS Awareness Walk in Houston on October 13.  I signed up a team, Linebackers Tackle ALS, in honor of my father’s NFL position-linebacker.  We got our first donation on October 3 and by October 16, we had raised $10,419! My original goal was $500!! The amount of support we received really fueled our fight to tackle this disease that only weeks before had rocked our family to it’s core.  We were able to meet so many people during the walk and become part of such a great community, all in the battle against ALS.  We are looking forward to starting our team for the 2019 walk coming up again this fall and have big goals to raise even more this year.

Do you have any tips for getting little ones involved in fundraising? 

It was easy for us to get our kids involved.  My father has 9 grand kids who adore him.  They think his electric wheel chair is a personal go kart and his cool new minivan with electric ramp is a real life space ship. The silver lining in this entire situation is that this diagnosis of ALS has made our already tight knit family even closer.  We go out of our way to get dad involved in our kids events and make sure he is a part of everything we do.  We take a lot more pictures and celebrate the small things in a big way.  We are also all children of an NFL Super Bowl Champion, who played in the league for 10 years, to say we are competitive is an understatement.

The greatest lesson learned in all of this will be for them to see strangers, donating money to help their Grandpa. I know seeing this selfless act will leave an impression on their little hearts. -Kimmie Longstreet

Thank you so much Kimmie for all you do to support our mission of creating a world without ALS! Donate to Kimmie’s campaign here. Interested in creating a fun fundraiser yourself? It only takes a few minutes to get started!

Here at the ALS Association of Texas, we’re dedicated to serving and supporting Texans living with ALS through advocacy, funding research, resources, equipment loans, clinic and more.  We’re only able to do what we do because of YOU, and we appreciate all the ways our community comes together to rally around our mission- creating a world without ALS. One of the ways our community supports this mission is through creative fundraising!

One example of a creative fundraiser is planning a sports-themed event and pitting teams against one another! Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Pick a sport.

Doesn’t matter what you choose! Pick a sport you and your friends and family love playing and go from there. It could be dodgeball, baseball, golf or even frisbee!

Pick a location.

Ask permission to use a town recreation field, school, church gym, or other large open space. Or use your own backyard!

Find supporters.

Create a fundraising page or Facebook fundraiser to collect donations for your event.

Promote your event.

Use social media to spread the word about your event. While promoting share why you’re passionate about helping to create to world without ALS. Be sure to tag us (@alstexas) and use our hashtag #ALStexas so we can see all the amazing things you’re doing.

Gather supplies.

As your event day nears, collect any equipment you will need. Don’t forget things like water or snacks for your participants.

Have fun!

On your event day, remember to have fun! And take lots of photos/videos for social media!

Sports-themed events are a great way to sneak in some physical activity while having fun for a cause! Ready to lace up your sneakers and get started? Create a fundraiser today!

Here at the ALS Association of Texas, we’re dedicated to serving and supporting Texans living with ALS through advocacy, resources, equipment loans, clinic and more.  We’re only able to do what we do because of YOU, and we appreciate all the ways our community comes together to rally around our mission- creating a world without ALS. One of the ways our community supports this mission is through creative fundraising!

When it comes to fundraising the sky really is the limit, as there as so many inventive ways to get your community involved in a cause. One way that’s plenty of fun for the whole family is building a lemonade stand. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Pick a spot and a time.

Before pitching your stand, make sure you have whatever permits or permission you need to engage in commerce. Try to find a safe area with a lot of foot traffic and a time when people are likely to be thirsty- think lunch time or right after work!

Set a goal.

Aim high and shoot for the stars! Ask for donations rather than charging a set price for each cup. You’ll be surprised how generous people can be.

Spread the word.

Post information about your lemonade stand on social media and put up flyers throughout your community. Make sure you include a sentence or two about why you’re passionate about helping to create a world without ALS. Let people know they can donate using your ALS Texas fundraising page or Facebook Fundraiser, even if they can’t make it out to your stand. Use the hashtags #ALSYouthChallenge and #ALStexas when you post!

Gather supplies.

Make signs and gather pitchers, cups, straws, lemons, and sugar. Also be sure to grab a folding table and chairs. Need a recipe? Here’s a simple one you can follow!

Serve your lemonade and collect donations!

You can use a jar for cash donations, or direct people to our website to make donations in real time.

Lemonade stands are the perfect way to get little ones involved as well! Take a look at this campaign, with children honoring their grandfather with ALS for ALS Youth Action Day (May 19th, 2019).

Ready to roll up your sleeves and get started? Create a fundraiser today!