“I feel as if I’ve been given more time to spread awareness.” – An interview with ALS member Lisa

Lisa (Ltbeauti) was studying to become a teacher in Richmond, VA, when she was diagnosed with ALS—the same type that affected both her sister and father. After joining PatientslikeMe in 2008, Lisa has made it her mission to stay proactive about her health and, like any good teacher, offer support and share her experience with… Continue reading “I feel as if I’ve been given more time to spread awareness.” – An interview with ALS member Lisa

Your data doing good: The Lithium study

During #24DaysofGiving this December, we’re highlighting all the good your health data donations are doing. And this time, we’re starting at the beginning.  As you probably know already, PatientsLikeMe launched its first community in 2006 for people living with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Two years later, we had an amazingly engaged and… Continue reading Your data doing good: The Lithium study

Gus’s story

Last month, we introduced Gus, a member of your 2015-2016 Team of Advisors living with ALS. Here he talks about his hope that the data he donates will help not just one person – but many. Here’s more of his story:   You can see how much good data can do. During the month of… Continue reading Gus’s story

PatientsLikeMe Encourages Sharing of Health Data for Good with 2nd Annual “24 Days of Giving”

The Gift of Health Data Can Help Others, and Advance Research CAMBRIDGE, MASS., December 1, 2015—On this #GivingTuesday, PatientsLikeMe is once again celebrating “the new tradition of generosity” by encouraging people to donate something unusual but vital: their health data. Starting today and continuing for #24DaysofGiving, PatientsLikeMe is asking anyone who is living with a… Continue reading PatientsLikeMe Encourages Sharing of Health Data for Good with 2nd Annual “24 Days of Giving”

Meet Gus from the PatientsLikeMe Team of Advisors

Say hi to Gus, another member of your 2015-2016 PatientsLikeMe Team of Advisors. Gus is someone who’s been very competitive and focused, has always felt that there was nothing he couldn’t accomplish or overcome, and spreads positivity wherever he goes. So when he was diagnosed with familial ALS, positive SOD1 gene – unknown variant, in… Continue reading Meet Gus from the PatientsLikeMe Team of Advisors

PatientsLikeMe Names 2015-2016 Team of Advisors, Sets Focus on Redefining Patient Partnerships

Cambridge, MA, October 19, 2015—PatientsLikeMe has named 14 members to its patient-only 2015–2016 Team of Advisors and challenged them to work through an issue that’s central to everyone in the healthcare system: how to redefine patient partnerships. The team will be focused on rethinking what it means for patients to be partners, and on establishing… Continue reading PatientsLikeMe Names 2015-2016 Team of Advisors, Sets Focus on Redefining Patient Partnerships

Talking Brain Donation with Dr. Deborah Mash

Dr. Deborah Mash is a professor of neurology and molecular/cellular pharmacology at the University of Miami School of Medicine. She’s also the director of the university’s Brain Endowment Bank, and she recently spoke with PatientsLikeMe about her research and exactly what goes into donating your brain to science. As she says, “we still know very… Continue reading Talking Brain Donation with Dr. Deborah Mash

Q & A with Mary Ann Singersen, Co-Founder/President of the A.L.S. Family Charitable Foundation

In 1998, Stephen Heywood, the brother of our co-founders Ben and Jamie, and friend of Jeff Cole, was diagnosed with ALS. They immediately went to work trying to find new ways to slow Stephen’s progression, and after 6 years of trial and error, they built PatientsLikeMe in 2004. Mary Ann Singersen also has family experience… Continue reading Q & A with Mary Ann Singersen, Co-Founder/President of the A.L.S. Family Charitable Foundation

Getting to know our Team of Advisors – Steve

A few weeks ago, Amy shared about living with a rare genetic disease in her Team of Advisors introduction post. Today, it’s Steve’s turn to share about his unique perspective as a scientist who has been diagnosed with ALS. Below, learn about Steve’s experience with ALS research, his views on patient centeredness and what being… Continue reading Getting to know our Team of Advisors – Steve

What can you do to challenge ALS in May?

It’s been 23 years since the U.S. Congress first recognized May as ALS Awareness Month in 1992, and while progress towards new treatments has been slower than we’ve all hoped,  a lot has still happened since then. In 1995, Riluzole, the first treatment to alter the course of ALS, was approved by the FDA. In… Continue reading What can you do to challenge ALS in May?