Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins

08/03/2026

“Probably one of my greatest takeaways from this journey was the spirit, the kindness and generosity of Americans across this country in tiny towns and big towns,” he said. “The comments that people have left on our donation board were the only fuel I needed.”

Congratulations to our friend and partner Rex Houlihan for completing this amazing feat!

Read more:

Rex Houlihan returned to Annapolis after bike riding across the country to raise money for ALS research and care. He still has 100 miles to go before completing the goal.

07/31/2026

We were honored to attend the Live Like Lou Foundation Annual ALS Research Symposium this week at Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The symposium brought together an outstanding international lineup of researchers to share the latest advances in ALS research, while providing valuable opportunities to connect with our funded investigators, research colleagues, and the next generation of ALS scientists.

Packard Center Founder and Director, Dr. Jeffrey Rothstein, delivered the symposium's keynote address.

A heartfelt thank you to our friends and partners at the Live Like Lou Foundation for their warm hospitality and for their continued commitment to accelerating ALS research. Together, we're moving closer to a world without ALS.

07/28/2026

🚨 Just 6 Days to Go, Annapolis!

Who's joining us? 💙

In six days, we'll gather at the Annapolis Yacht Club for one final rally before the last 100 miles of the Coast 2 Coast 4 ALS journey.

Whether you've been following from day one or are just hearing about the mission, we'd love to see you there.

🍻 Grab a drink.
💙 Meet an incredible community - and Rex!
🚴 Help fuel the final stretch.
🧡 Make a difference for families living with ALS.

If you're planning to come, let us know in the comments! ⬇️

📅 Thursday, July 30
⏰ 4:30–6:30 PM
📍 Annapolis Yacht Club

🎟️ Register here:
https://www.coast2coast4als.org/events/annapolis

Can't make it? You can still sponsor part of the Final 100 Miles:
https://www.every.org/coast2coast4als/f/100-sponsors-100-miles

Let's pack the Yacht Club and show what this community can do. 💙

07/21/2026

Former NFL star Chris Johnson is bringing back the Ice Bucket Challenge to shine a spotlight on ALS and inspire support for the fight against this devastating disease. More than a decade ago, the Ice Bucket Challenge became a global phenomenon, raising more than $220 million for ALS research and accelerating critical scientific breakthroughs. Now, it's time to make an impact once again.

Join the challenge! Take the Ice Bucket Challenge, make a gift to the Packard Center to support ALS research, and tag us on Facebook and Instagram. Every challenge shared and every dollar donated helps move us closer to better treatments, and ultimately, a cure.

To donate: https://packardcenter.org/give/

07/14/2026

The Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins are pleased to announce a collaboration with ALS Canada to jointly fund preclinical basic science research in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This partnership underscores a shared commitment to advancing innovative ALS research and improving outcomes for people affected by the disease. It also marks the Packard Center’s first international co-funding partnership.

“We are excited to partner with the ALS Society of Canada on co-funding this important research,” said Dr. Christine Vande Velde, Packard Center Scientific Director and a Canadian neuroscientist. “This collaboration marks a significant step forward in our shared mission and represents the Packard Center’s first international co-funded grant. As a Canadian researcher, I am especially pleased to see this cross-border partnership bring together the strengths of our ALS research communities. We hope this collaboration will become a model for future funding efforts across the global ALS research community.”

06/29/2026

Heartbreaking news from the NFL today as former Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson revealed that he has been diagnosed with ALS in an interview with ABC's "Good Morning America" that aired Monday.

Former Titans and Cardinals running back Chris Johnson told "Good Morning America" that he was diagnosed with ALS in 2025.

06/26/2026

What a great night celebrating the halfway point of the Coast to Coast for ALS ride across the country. We are in Chicago celebrating with the our friends at Team Gleason! Thanks to the Chicago Bears alumni and the Packard Center Board of Governors for their support.

06/25/2026

Packard Center is well represented at the annual Encals Meeting in Madrid, Spain this week. Encals is the European Network to Cure ALS.

Packard Center Scientific Director, Dr. Christine Vande, delivered a plenary talk entitled: Rethinking ALS Pathogenesis: Emerging Molecular Paradigms

Packard funded investigator Dr. John Landers (UMASS Chan Medical School) delivered the plenary address entitled: Genetics and Genomics in ALS: From Discovery to Precision Therapies.

06/24/2026

Do you know someone impacted by ALS who wants to learn more about clinical research? The Network of Excellence for ALS - NEALS ALS Clinical Research Learning Institute® (CRLI) provides education, resources, and connections to help participants engage confidently in ALS research.

Applications close July 6th - Apply here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CRLI2026