A blistering battle has broken out between the ALS Association and more than a dozen of its state and local chapters, which are resisting a move by the national headquarters to dismantle their offices and run operations around the U.S.
Fifteen chapters claim the national office is attempting the takeover in order to grab a larger share of revenue these local offices send to association headquarters, according to a lawsuit filed in a Delaware state court. Currently, the national office is entitled to nearly 14% of all revenue that is raised by ALS chapters. The money is invested in research, clinic certification, and lobbying, among other activities.
The dispute threatens to splinter a national advocacy campaign that has bolstered awareness of ALS, a progressive neurological disorder that gradually causes muscle weakness and paralysis. Depending upon the outcome, some fear that efforts to provide patient services and, in some cases, drug development may be hindered.
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