Watertown Nonprofits and Charities

ALSTDI has profoundly impacted my life and the lives of several friends who are also patients. I first visited ALSTDI on the one-year anniversary of my dad's passing from ALS. Until then, I thought supporting ALS meant participating in the annual ALS walk and hoping for the best. However, meeting their team changed everything for me.<br><br>Carol, who has become a lifelong friend and mentor, spoke passionately about the patients she loves and the donors she helps. The research team was incredibly kind, patiently answering my questions despite my limited biology background, and sharing their optimism about their research.<br><br>ALSTDI's commitment to cutting-edge technology is best demonstrated through their ARC program. They have compiled more data than any other ALS organization, creating a large database that is searchable thanks to partnerships with various companies. This essential, yet often overlooked, work accelerates research and highlights why I admire ALSTDI so much. They are not driven by headlines but by a singular mission: to cure ALS and make it a treatable, if not curable, disease.<br><br>I have countless stories of how ALSTDI has helped people I care about, but one recent example stands out. A few months ago, a friend's grandmother was diagnosed with ALS at an excruciatingly late stage, having been misdiagnosed for years. The family didn't have time to arrange for a text-to-speech device or other aids to make her last days more comfortable. In a panic, I called Glynis, an amazing team member, who connected me with Michele. Michele helped the family set up a communication device so the grandmother could say her goodbyes.<br><br>ALSTDI excels not only in ALS research but also in passion and compassion. I can think of no finer nonprofit with which I've had the pleasure of supporting.

I reached out to the Alzheimer's Association after my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The clinical staff is incredibly caring, compassionate and knowledgeable and helped us navigate the system and effectively manage my mom's illness. By participating in a caregiver's support group and attending educational programs, I learned so much and never felt alone. I am so grateful. I am proud to be a supporter of this outstanding organization. I participate in the Memory Walk every year.