Our mission at the InfluentiALS Foundation is to offset the personal financial costs associated with an ALS diagnosis. Families are often forced to either deplete their life savings in order to qualify for Medicaid or fall into an endless cycle of fundraising while caring for their loved ones. We strive to provide a consistent source of funds and to partner with ALS organizations to distribute those funds directly to families in need, while building overall awareness of ALS and supporting broader efforts to combat the disease.
The InfluentiALS Foundation provides education and awareness around universal, holistic practices that benefit not only people with ALS, but all people. We are a portal for all wellness experts and communities to use their expertise, interests and compassion to benefit others.
THANK YOU!
My name is Ron Caruso
I was diagnosed with ALS over four years ago – ironically on September 11! After dealing with the initial shock and grief, I gathered my inner strength and realized I had to stay positive. Once I understood this, I could mentally shift from
In 2019, ironically on September 11, I was diagnosed with ALS. In truth, symptoms had begun at least two years earlier.
The shock was overwhelming. The grief was real. The first two years after the diagnosis were the hardest stretch of my life. Once we realized we were part of the small percentage of slow progressors, I found my footing again. I realized that if I didn’t stay positive, the disease would take far more from me than my mobility. And with that shift came something powerful: a change in mindset from “I am dying from ALS” to “I am LIVING with ALS”.
That shift gave me purpose. It made me ask how I could turn this diagnosis into something meaningful – not just for myself, but for others living with ALS. Along the way, I have met incredibly compassionate and generous people within the ALS community. Their kindness inspired me to use my professional experience to try, in my own small way, to make life a little easier for those navigating this disease.
Why I’m Doing This
If there’s one piece of advice I’ve heard consistently from every medical professional, it’s “stay positive.”
What I didn’t hear were concrete recommendations on nutrition, physical therapy, mental wellness, or lifestyle practices that might help me feel better day-to-day.
I often wondered: How is someone supposed to stay positive if the only message they hear is to wait for the inevitable?
I’ve been fortunate to be a slow progressor. That grace has given me time – time to explore holistic therapies, experiment, adapt, and build a personal regimen that helps me feel as strong as I can, mentally and physically. None of what I do is a cure. I would never suggest that. But these practices make me feel better, more grounded, and more capable of fighting back instead of waiting for decline.
If even one person finds something helpful through what I share here, I’ll consider all of this a success.
The Difficult Reality
I never set out to create a large ALS foundation. I’m not trying to build a business. I simply wanted to raise awareness, share the things that have helped me along the way, and support families facing the crushing financial burden that comes with an ALS diagnosis.
The most rewarding part of this journey has been seeing friends, clients, and my community rally to help.
But I’ve also seen the other side: the reluctance of larger ALS organizations to collaborate, the turf-protecting, and the refusal of multiple ALS charities to accept pro bono help or form strategic alliances. This has been disheartening – not just for me personally, but for what it means for the ALS community as a whole.
We have no corporate sponsors (although we would welcome them happily).
We have been turned away by every major ALS charity we approached.
And while many ALS families fundraise for their own needs, we take what we raise and give it away – directly to those who need it more.
I’ve dedicated my own time and resources to creating this website, producing content, organizing fundraisers, and covering the legal costs to ensure that every dollar donated goes to families in need. Friends and clients have generously donated their professional skills and time as well, and I’m deeply grateful for them.
After seeing the enormous amount of funding available for research — and the almost nonexistent support for everyday families just trying to stay afloat — I knew this had to be the mission.
Research is essential. But for those of us living with ALS right now, the hope for a cure years from today doesn’t help with tomorrow’s bills, equipment costs, or caregiving needs.
That gap is where we’re trying to make a difference.
Thank you for your time, your compassion, your participation, and your support.
With your help, I’m trying to turn the hardest chapter of my life into a small silver lining – a chance to help others now, and hopefully leave something meaningful behind.
If you are currently living with ALS, please explore the resources on this site. Every product listed has helped me personally, and I hope they help other pALS stay independent and empowered for as long as possible.
Funding for research is incredibly important, however to someone who is living with the disease, the idea of a treatment or a cure years away is frustrating, worthless and almost as debilitating as the disease itself.
Our goal is to reduce the research vs. care funding disparity by creating ongoing campaigns earmarked exclusively for ALS family financial support.
Why are we the InfluentiALS?
Our mission is to directly and positively influence the quality of life for families living with ALS, so they can focus more of their precious time being with their loved ones rather than fundraising. We want to influence the massive disparity between research dollars versus care funding, while simultaneously continuing to influence global ALS awareness.
How do we plan on having so much influence?
INFLUENCERS! The success of our mission is directly based upon the participation of compassionate influencers worldwide. That is a bold gamble, but as ALS becomes more prevalent in society, chances are that this insidious disease has touched more people’s lives than you would expect. By contributing a small effort through donating their voice and reach they can truly demonstrate the power of their influence.
Whether a local talent, community leader, organization, or a global celebrity, please consider supporting us by becoming one of the InfluentiALS TODAY! To learn more please click the button below to understand how easy it is to “flex your social media muscles” for ALS!
Holistic programming to raise awareness,
Help pALS and raise money.
Yoga PotentiALS offers accessible, curated yoga practices designed to support people with ALS and their caregivers. These practices focus on improving flexibility, balance, and mental clarity while reducing stress—key benefits for managing the physical and emotional challenges of ALS.
This program also raises awareness about ALS and serves as a fundraising platform for the InfluentiALS Foundation. Funds raised directly support individuals with ALS by providing critical care, services, and home modifications needed to adapt and thrive.
Inspired by Ron’s personal journey managing ALS through yoga and cold therapy, Yoga PotentiALS showcases the transformative power of these holistic practices. By partnering with the yoga and wellness community, we invite everyone to experience its benefits while contributing to a meaningful cause and mission.
Introducing
Unlocking
Potential, Hope, and Care
Through the
Practice of Yoga
Shiver & Deliver!
The ALS Ice Bath Splash is our cold therapy initiative and wellness campaign, focusing on its anti-inflammation and stress management benefits. There is increasing evidence that inflammation accompanies the death of motor neurons in ALS. Thus, many in the ALS community have begun to add ice baths to their regimen in hopes of reducing inflammation and slowing the progression of the disease.
InfluentiALS has teamed up with a leading breath and cold therapy expert to create custom content, spread awareness, and raise money for pALS (people with ALS) everywhere!
Our contributing influencer, Michael Christoforo, is a certified breath and meditation coach who has trained professional athletes and Hollywood celebrities.