About Us
Rooted in the Upstate.
Built for ALS Families.
Since 2022, Touched By ALS has walked alongside individuals and families across Upstate South Carolina as they face one of life’s hardest journeys. Founded by people personally affected by ALS, our mission is to provide meaningful support that brings dignity, connection, and hope to families navigating everyday challenges. What began as a local effort to help a few families has grown into a trusted, community-driven nonprofit serving ALS families across the Upstate through practical assistance, emotional encouragement, volunteer support, and compassionate care.
We believe no family should face ALS alone.
Our Impact
Our Story
Touched By ALS was built from lived experience, community compassion, and a shared desire to help families navigating the realities of ALS. For years, small groups of community members personally touched by ALS, including surviving family members, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, came together to raise money, write grants, support local families, and fill critical gaps in care. What started as grassroots support slowly grew into something larger.
In 2022, Touched By ALS officially achieved 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, creating a permanent foundation dedicated to supporting individuals living with ALS and their caregivers throughout Upstate South Carolina outside of the hospital system. Today, Touched By ALS is the first organization of its kind in the Upstate focused specifically on serving those diagnosed with ALS and the families walking alongside them.
Greenville, South Carolina, is home to one of only two public ALS Clinics accredited by The ALS Association in the state. In recent years, the number of individuals clinically diagnosed with ALS receiving care in Greenville has continued to rise significantly. Alongside the emotional toll of the disease, families often face overwhelming financial burdens. According to the Greenville ALS Clinic, the average out-of-pocket cost of care after insurance can exceed $120,000.
Touched By ALS exists to help relieve some of those burdens through practical support, community connection, and compassionate care. ALS affects not only the individual receiving the diagnosis. It changes the lives of spouses, children, parents, caregivers, friends, and entire support systems. Every family’s journey is different, but no one should have to walk it alone.
Our Mission
Touched By ALS exists to empower the Upstate South Carolina community to fill the gap for individuals and families affected by ALS by providing resources that assist with financial burdens, as well as physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Our Vision
We envision a community where no family faces ALS alone, where dignity is protected, and where compassion is turned into action. We are ALL Touched By ALS.
Leadership & Board
A Volunteer-Led Organization with Heart
Touched By ALS is led by a dedicated board of working individuals deeply connected to the ALS community through personal experience, healthcare, caregiving, advocacy, and service. As a fully volunteer-run organization, our board members actively advance the mission through hands-on leadership, community outreach, fundraising, family support, and program development. Their commitment helps ensure every dollar raised goes further toward supporting families facing ALS throughout the Upstate.
Sarah Beth Eaton
Beth Clayton Wickliffe
John Black
Jared Cumbee
Aaron Siegel
Daniel Coker
Harry Clayton
Jimmy Kimbell
Freddie Heroman
Honoring Taylor Brown, A Legacy of Compassion
Touched By ALS would not exist without the compassion, dedication, and leadership of those who helped shape this organization from the beginning and who helped build our mission.
Our co-founder, Taylor Brown, was diagnosed with ALS in 2019. Upon his diagnosis, he quickly became aware of the costly and crucial needs of a patient living with ALS. Unfortunately, he also found that there were limited resources for providing assistance to those touched by ALS.
At that time, he began his journey to create a non-profit organization to fill gaps for those touched by ALS by providing resources to ease financial burdens, as well as physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Taylor was dedicated to this cause, working tirelessly to see it become a reality. His dedication and persistence were ultimately rewarded when Touched By ALS was established as a 501(c)(3) organization in March of 2022.
Taylor lost his battle with ALS on August 15, 2023, but his spirit and desire to help others touched by ALS continue. This organization would not be a reality without him, and for that, we are forever grateful!
His legacy remains an important part of who we are and why we continue this work.
Why We Keep Going
Every family deserves to feel supported, seen, and cared for during the challenges ALS brings. That belief is what continues to drive our mission forward every single day. Through compassion, community, and action, we are creating a place where families facing ALS can find hope, connection, and support when they need it most.
