Also called Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS is a progressive, fatal neurological disease affecting as many as 20,000 Americans, with 5,000 new cases occurring in the United States each year. ALS occurs when specific nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary movement gradually degenerate. The loss of these motor neurons causes the muscles under their control to weaken and waste away, leading to paralysis. In some instances, the disease is inherited, but in most cases the cause is unknown. 

Local ALS Support Groups

Fort Myers --
Meeting the second Sunday of the month at 2:30 at Cypress Lake United Methodist Church corner of Cypress Lake Dr. and Winkler Rd in Fort Myers. Call Joyce Hughes 239-936-2231. (Area code changed from 941).

Gainesville --
3rd Wednesday at 7pm at Shands Medical Plaza
2000 SW Archer Rd., 3rd floor conference room

Jacksonville --
3rd Monday of each month, 6:00 p.m. 1st Floor Conference Room of Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital 3599 University Blvd. S. Jacksonville, Florida 32216 Contact: Charles Schauer, Ph.D. 858-7602 

Naples/Marco Island --
3rd Saturday at 2pm Cleveland Clinic, 6101 Pine Ridge Rd., Naples, Florida private hospital dining room.

Ocala --
Volunteer Support Group sponsor: Lee Funk.
Contact Florida ALS Patient Services at 1-888-257-1717

Ormond Beach --
The second Wednesday of each month at 1:00 P.M. at Ormond in the Pines Retirement Living, 101 Clyde Morris Blvd., Ormond Beach, FL. For further information call Betty Jo Babic, 386 673-1252 or email Cloud9FL@aol.com

Sarasota --
Patient/Caregiver Support Group meets the third Thursday of each month at the Senior Friendship Center Medical Building from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the conference room.
Caregiver only Support Group meets the first Wednesday of each month at the HealthSouth Outpatient Rehabilitation Center from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the conference room.
For more information please contact Jim or Vicki at 941-496-4057 or email JWatkins48@aol.com. 

Tampa/Hillsborough -- 
3rd Saturday at 11am Tampa General Hospital Rehab Center Davis Islands, Tampa, Dining Hall, 2nd Floor

If you would like your Florida Support Group added to our list, please e-mail info@abcamputee.com