Rise for ALS Chattanooga, Inc. exists because our region deserves a movement rooted in hope, visibility, and real support for families facing Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
For too long, families in Chattanooga and North Georgia have navigated diagnosis, caregiving, and loss without a strong local network centered on connection and advocacy. We are here to change that.
We will bring our community together through in-person events like the upcoming 2026 ALS Awareness Walk, educational outreach, local partnerships, and ongoing support initiatives designed to ensure no family faces ALS alone.
Chattanooga’s 2026 ALS Awareness Walk Event Details
Saturday May 2
Gilbert-Stephenson Park
19 Van Cleve St, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
Registration begins 8:30 a.m.
Opening Ceremony: 10:00 a.m.
Walk Begins: 10:30 a.m.
This is a 1-mile walk, on a flat paved track. Bring your friends, family, and dogs (leashed and friendly please). We’ll have a Memory Wall, an Honor Wall for our Veterans, fantastic vendors, fun prizes to give away, and activities for the kiddos (balloon animals & face painting).
Anyone who raises $90 or more will receive an official 2026 ALS Awareness Walk T-shirt
How Funds Are Used
Funds raised through the 2026 ALS Awareness Walk will be shared to support both local families and critical research. 50% of proceeds will remain right here in our local community through the Rise for ALS Chattanooga Local Care Fund, helping provide direct support and resources to families living with ALS. The remaining 50% will be donated to the ALS Association, Tennessee Chapter to advance research, advocacy, and patient services across the region.
What is the mission of Rise for ALS Chattanooga, Inc.?
Rise for ALS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ALS awareness, advocacy, and support for individuals and families affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in the Chattanooga and North Georgia area.
WHO WE SERVE
ALS Families- patients, spouses, children, and loved ones navigating a devastating diagnosis.
Caregivers- the emotional and physical backbone of every ALS journey.
Veterans- who face twice the risk of developing ALS.
Local Residents- community members seeking awareness, education, and a way to take action.
Healthcare + Senior-Care Partners; clinics, therapists, equipment providers, and support teams.
Rise for ALS serves the families, caregivers, veterans, and community members who are directly impacted by ALS. Our mission is to help ensure no one in the Chattanooga region navigates this disease alone; emotionally, financially, or spiritually.
Rise for ALS Chattanooga, Inc. is an approved 501(c)(3). All donations will be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Our signature event, the Chattanooga ALS Awareness Walk, will be held May 2, 2026; a day of unity, remembrance, and action.
A Community Movement for Hope, Research & Care
A Community Movement for Hope, Research & Care
OUR 2026 SPONSORS
We are deeply grateful to Erlanger Health System for their generous sponsorship of the 2026 Chattanooga ALS Awareness Walk. As a leading healthcare provider in our region, Erlanger’s commitment to compassionate care and community health makes them an invaluable partner in raising awareness and support for families affected by ALS. Their support helps us expand our reach, strengthen community connections, and continue building a network of care for those facing this devastating disease.
We are incredibly grateful to True Plumb for their generous support of the 2026 Chattanooga Awareness Walk. Their commitment to service and strengthening local communities mirrors the heart of our mission, ensuring no family faces ALS alone. Thank you, True Plumb, for standing with us and helping make this event possible.
We are deeply grateful to Imma Chef at Vintage Cafe for providing catering and hospitality support for the 2026 ALS Awareness Walk. Imma is generously preparing snack stations and a lemonade stand for attendees, helping ensure families, caregivers, and participants are cared for throughout the event. Her support allows us to create a welcoming, family-centered atmosphere our walkers.
MadSun Studio provided the full branding and design for Rise for ALS Chattanooga Inc. Their intentional design work reflects the heart of our mission; strength, dignity, and community support.
Thank you High Point Climbing and Fitness (Cleveland). We are grateful for their commitment to strengthening our community.
We’re honored to partner with Fox & Fern Style, a local floral boutique, for the 2026 ALS Awareness Walk.
What ALS Steals — And What We’re Rising to Change
ALS is progressive, incurable, and universally fatal
Loss of movement, speech, swallowing, breathing — but not the mind
Average progression: 2–5 years
Military veterans: 2x risk
Care costs can exceed $300,000+ a year
Come hang out with us 💙
Follow Rise for ALS on social media for event updates, community stories, and ways to get involved. We promise heart, hope, and the occasional behind-the-scenes moment.
