The Team Gleason Foundation is getting federal funding for $6 million to help ALS patients, according to U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA).

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) -- The Team Gleason Foundation is getting federal funding for $6 million to help ALS patients, according to U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.).

"ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord," according to the ALS Association. The organization said the estimated annual out-of-pocket cost for care for ALS patients is $250,000.

Cassidy said the money will help get specialized equipment, technology and services to over 4,000 people diagnosed with ALS.

“Steve Gleason is a fighter—not just for himself, but for others,” said Cassidy. “Despite facing extreme adversity, he never fails to be a beacon of light. This funding is an example of his tireless work.”

A former New Orleans Saints player, Gleason was diagnosed with ALS in January 2011. Gleason received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2020.

“When I was diagnosed with the terminal disease, ALS, 13 years ago, there were no treatments for ALS, and that is still largely true today,” said Gleason. “What I found more encouraging was how equipment and technology could help a person survive and thrive while living with the disease. With this knowledge, my wife, Michel, and I founded Team Gleason with the goal of providing critical equipment and technology to those living with ALS, and now we are the leading non-profit provider. This funding is crucial to our ability to meet the needs of the ALS community and my team and I are grateful.”

The money will allow Team Gleason to provide essential care services, including voice and message banking, complex shower and bath chairs and portable power wheelchairs, Cassidy's office said.

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