ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.  Every 90 minutes, someone is diagnosed with the disease, and someone passes away from it.  Most people who develop ALS are between the ages of 40 and 70, with an average age of 55 at the time of diagnosis. However, cases of the disease do occur in people in their twenties and thirties.ALS is 20% more common in men than women. However, with increasing age, the incidence of ALS is more equal between men and women. The ALS Association, Massachusetts Chapter undertakes ALS on three fronts: funding cutting-edge research, providing vital patient care service programs, and pushing critical advocacy. We provide local families living with ALS no-cost services like support groups, home visits, insurance counseling, referrals to community resources, durable medical equipment loans, the Care Connection Program, & education.