We operate out of the strength of our community and caring friends and sponsors. Your help makes a difference! Contact us to help in one of the areas below or to suggest another way you can get involved.

First, check out our Giving Guide to find out about the different ways you can support research right now. Make your personal donation, learn about the tax benefits of Planned Giving and find out how to get your company or group involved. 

1. Fundraising

The primary focus of SPF is to raise funds to support research to find the causes, treatments and cures for primary upper motor neuron disorders Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia and Primary Lateral Sclerosis. Our national community event is our annual TeamWalk For Our Cures. Additionally, individuals from any part of the country can help organize local fundraisers. Individuals are also needed to secure corporate sponsorships and help with grant applications.

Please click here to read about ways you can help raise funds for research.

2. Patient Connections program
Organizing a Connections gathering for people to meet, share stories and help one another is a great service. Events can be as simple as meeting for coffee! In areas with large patient populations, SPF seeks to establish Chapters. Check out our Calendar Page to see what events are coming up.

3. Conference organizers
The SPF seeks event coordinators in or near metropolitan areas who can work with us to organize Conferences for our community. These events feature speakers and programs on special topics of interest to our community as well as provide the opportunities for individuals to meet others. Conferences can be half-day or full-day events.

4. Communications
Individuals with writing, research, website or graphic design skills are needed to assist with various communications initiatives.

5. Ambassadors
Ambassadors raise awareness about our disorders as well as enhance community building and industry relationships. You can assist with media relations, share your story, speak at local groups or help with grassroots advocacy.

6. Business and administrative support
Volunteers with business and administrative skills can play a valuable role in administering the work of the SPF. Most of the help is coordinated through email correspondence and uses popular Office applications. Hands-on help is also needed at SPF offices located near Boston, MA and in Columbus, GA, Austin TX, and Fairfax, VA.

7. Management of the SPF
SPF is managed by concerned volunteers in our community. We are still a very young organization. If you have professional skills and are interested in serving on the Board of Directors or the Advisory Board, please contact us.

Participate in research

Your participation in research studies is vital in helping discover the causes and cures for our conditions. There are many on-going studies, and many do not require travel. Please search Clinical Trials to find out about potential studies you can be involved in. Please contact us to hear about blood donations.

Note on autopsies: John K. Fink, M.D., the SPF Medical Advisor, seeks autopsies from people with HSP and PLS. Anyone who wishes to permit an autopsy for medical research should make this desire known in writing to their family and doctor. It is important that the pathologist contact Dr. Fink's laboratory immediately for instructions: 734-936-8174. Samples will be taken and sent to the research lab, after which the funeral can proceed as normal. If you have a loved one with HSP or PLS who becomes terminally ill, please consider this important gift to research.