About The Susie Foundation
The Susie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on changing the lives of young caregivers and families struggling with the daily challenges of living alongside Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Since our founding in 2013, we have raised more than $1.2M to provide innovative programming opportunities that deliver compassionate, enduring, and life changing support services to patients, young caregivers, and families living with the challenges of ALS in New England.
The roots of our work can be traced back to November 6th 2009, the day our organization’s inspiration and namesake, Susan Ready Matthews, was
diagnosed with ALS. Over the next 17 months, our family became intimately
and painfully aware of how challenging and traumatizing daily life is
alongside ALS. From the loss of physical ability and introduction of
anticipatory grief, to the struggles with depression and need for around the
clock caregiving, Susan’s journey with ALS taught us about the many burdens levied on individuals and families following diagnosis, while strengthening our resolve to provide support to others impacted by the disease.
Since her passing on April 17th 2011, we have been working tirelessly to build on Susan’s legacy of service to ensure patients, young caregivers, and families can access life-enhancing support services and technologies to ensure they are best able to lead rich, meaningful, and productive lives.