ALS is a very diverse disease—no two cases are exactly alike. There are familial cases caused by genetic mutations passed down from generation to generation of a family, and sporadic cases with no known cause. Some people’s symptoms progress very fast, while others may live with slowly progressing symptoms for decades. For some, the first signs of the disease appear in the limbs. For others, this occurs in the face and head.

Because of differences like these—and more—we know that there are many, many kinds of ALS, and that it will almost certainly take many treatments to end the disease for everyone.

In May 2025, as we observe ALS Awareness Month, the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) is working with the ALS community to help spread the word about the many types of ALS and the need for research to find multiple treatment options.

#ALSLooksLikeMe

Join hundreds of people with ALS who are using ALS TDI’s #ALSLooksLikeMe image generator to spread awareness of how ALS affects people differently. This tool allows anyone to easily create a social media-ready badge about their unique ALS journey, including how long they’ve been living with the disease, their age of diagnosis, and what abilities the disease has affected.

Simply complete a brief questionnaire, and you'll receive a customized image ideal for sharing on platforms like Facebook or Instagram. Create your image here.

Fight ALS Film Fest

ALS TDI is partnering with Her ALS Story and SunnyStrong, and invites you to participate in the 4th Annual Fight ALS Film Fest. This unique event features a series of powerful films highlighting the personal experiences of people affected by ALS, followed by live panel discussions featuring individuals living with ALS, caregivers, and advocates.

Participants watch each film on their own ahead of time. Then, they will join a weekly Zoom panel discussion to explore its themes, hear from special guests, and discuss how the film relates to their own experiences with ALS.

For more information about this year’s film lineup and how to sign up, click here.

Boost ALS Awareness on Social

Throughout May, ALS TDI will be sharing posts about ALS and spreading awareness that the disease can impact anyone. You can help by:

  • Following ALS TDI on social media sites like Facebook, X/Twitter, and Instagram,
  • Tagging @ALSTDI in your ALS Awareness Month posts so we can share them.
  • Sharing your badges created with the #ALSLooksLikeMe image generator.
  • Using hashtags like #ALSLooksLikeMe, #ALSAwarenessMonth, and #ALSFacts in your posts.

To learn more about ALS Awareness Month and how you can get involved, click here.