New Year’s Resolutions to Help Fight ALS!

The New Year is a time of reflection, renewal, and of course, resolutions. As we celebrate the dawn of 2014, we look forward to the day when there is a cure for ALS. Until then, we can all do our part in the fight. Here are 12 resolutions you can do (one per month) to help fight ALS all year round:

1. Donate - Make a gift to The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter and remember to check if your company offers matching gifts.

2. Volunteer - Help people living with ALS and their caregivers with simple tasks to improve their lives. You can also volunteer at one of the several events the Chapter holds each year, including the Walk to Defeat ALS. Contact Chris Dunn at dunn@als-ny.org.

3. Advocate - Join us in Washington, DC in May and advocate for ALS related issues to your Senators and Member of Congress. If you can’t make it to Washington, sign a letter to your representatives showing your support for more ALS government support. For more information, Click Here. or contact Daryl Cochrane at (212) 720-3051 or dcochrane@als-ny.org.

4. Participate - Take part in the ALS Association’s signature fundraising event the Walk to Defeat ALS www.ALSWalks.org. There are seven Walks throughout the region. Find one near you. Take strides to defeat ALS. Contact Sarah Pattison at spattison@als-ny.org or (212) 720-3042 for more info.

5. Join - Be a part of Team ALS Running 4 A Cure and connect with dozens of runners throughout the region who participate in a variety of runs 5K, 10K, half marathon, and in the New York City Marathon. If you're just getting started or are an experienced runner, you can be part of Team ALS and raise funds and awareness. Contact Kristen Cocoman at cocoman@als-ny.org or (212) 720-3048 for more information.

6. Write a Letter - Write a Letter to the Editor of your local newspaper and raise awareness about ALS in your community. Or you could even blog your story. Share it with us and we could post it on the Chapter blog as well. Tell your story from the heart and get it published. Contact Manager of Communications, Daryl Cochrane at (212) 720-3051 or dcochrane@als-ny.org to help find your local newspaper. Speak out.

7. Get Connected - If you’re on social media, join one of the numerous platforms the Chapter provides and stay informed between Monthly Updates. Be a part of our 7,000+ member community on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn throughout the region. 8. Organize an Event Plan an event in your community to raise funds and awareness for the ALS Association. Whether it is a bake sale at a school, a rummage sale at your church, a poker night at your home, or a happy hour at a bar or restaurant, you can organize an event in your community that best suits you. We have a team of people here to support you. Contact Ally Davis at adavis@als-ny.org or (212) 720-3049 for more information.

9. Make Financial Plans - Include the ALS Association Greater New York Chapter in your will, donate securities to the Chapter, or take advantage of our planned giving program. There are a number of other creative and financially sound ways to make a gift. Contact Loren Domilici for more information at ldomilici@als-ny.org or (212) 720-3060.

10. Register - If you’re living with ALS, we encourage you to enroll with the National ALS Registry and be counted. Complete the surveys so the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention can better understand the nature of ALS and bring us one step closer to a cure. If you're already registered, there are two NEW surveys just released by the CDC that are now available for you to complete. The Registry also includes a bio-repository and clinical trials notification features that allow patients to directly participate in the research process. For more information and assistance on how to register, contact Chris Dunn at dunn@als-ny.org.

11. Take in a Game - Throughout the summer, the ALS Association teams up with Minor League Baseball to raise awareness for ALS throughout the country. Look for an ALS Awareness Day with the MiLB team nearest you and head out to the ballgame. ALSA is an official Charity Partner of Minor League Baseball. Contact Kristen Cocoman at cocoman@als-ny.org or (212) 720-3048 for more information.

12. Wear it and Share it - You can raise awareness for ALS through fashion or on your car. Purchase a stylish ALS awareness bracelet or affix a bumper magnet for your car and raise awareness for ALS with those you pass by every day. Visit the online Chapter Store.

And there's one more thing that you can do that is the most basic way to raise awareness about ALS…

Talk about it - Whether you’re living with ALS or know someone who is or has, tell your story to your friends and colleagues and make your ALS story heard. The more people know about ALS, the more understanding we can generate and the more hope we can provide. It can be very painful to talk about, but your voice is needed to help spread the word.

If you do all the resolutions, or even just one, you will make a difference. If you need any help along the way, the staff of the ALS Association Greater New York Chapter is here to assist you and get you started. Call us at (212) 619-1400 or email als@als-ny.org and we’d be happy to discuss ways for you to get involved in the fight against ALS. From the Chapter Board & Staff, Happy New Year!

To find out more about The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter, click here.