Les Turner ALS Foundation

Programs and Services:

The Les Turner ALS Foundation is the only independent, publicly supported non-profit organization in the metropolitan Chicago area solely to the treatment and elimination of ALS. Funds support the Les Turner/Lois Insolia ALS Center at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, where Professionals on staff provide diagnosis, second opinions, treatment options and disease management and clinical trials.  The team includes five neurologists, clinical nurse coordinators, a drug study research coordinator, nutritionist, genetic counselor, occupational therapist, pulmonologist, and a speech pathologist. The Foundation also funds two Research Laboratories at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.  The first Laboratory has been under the direction of Dr, Teepy Siddique, the Les Turner ALS Foundation/Herbert C. Wenske Foundation Professor, since 1991.  This laboratory focuses on ALS genetics, pathogenesis and therapeutics.  The second laboratory opened in 2008 and is led by Dr. P. Hande Ozdinler,Assistant Professor at the Neurology Department of Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, and is focused on investigating the corticospinal motor neuron biology in relation to ALS.

Activities:

The Foundation’s unique in-home services include three nurse consultants and a social worker, free transportation to the Les Turner / Lois Insolia ALS Center; grant programs to assist people with the cost of in-home respite care and durable medical equipment; and educational activities.