In January of 2022, I had the opportunity to become a part of the ALS in the Heartland team as a practicum student working towards my Master of Social Work degree (MSW). After practicum, I stayed on with the team, transitioning into the Respite Program Coordinator role, which I held for just over a year. In December of 2023, along with completing my MSW degree, I transitioned into my current role as the Patient Advocate & Social Programs Coordinator.

I am grateful to be a part of this team and to continue to grow, learn from, and work with individuals, families, friends, and community members affected by ALS.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and children. I also enjoy music, playing guitar, reading, and trying my hand at different crafts or home improvement projects.

In January of 2024 I had the opportunity to join the ALS in the Heartland team as a practicum student while pursuing my Master of Social Work degree (MSW) at the University of Nebraska Omaha. In April 2024 I was hired as the Administrative Coordinator. I enjoy learning about the mission and history of ALS in the Heartland as well as gaining firsthand experience working with individuals with ALS, their families, caregivers, etc.

I am passionate about ALS because my aunt, Keri Ann, lost her battle to this debilitating disease in December 2020. After witnessing the hardship that comes with it, I knew I wanted to find a way to become more involved and raise awareness on finding a cure for ALS. I am honored and grateful to be a part of this team and do just that.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends, playing with my dog, exercising, and trying out everything Omaha has to offer as I recently moved to June 2023!

I joined ALS in the Heartland in April 2009 after working nearly a decade in child welfare. I enjoy spending much of my time at ALS in the Heartland writing grants and fundraising, knowing the majority of the dollars donated will go directly to support the patient families we serve. I am honored to get to know the many individuals with ALS, families, friends, and community members who are supportive of the fight to end the debilitating disease of ALS. I have so much hope for the future of ALS in the Heartland and ALS.

In my free time, I enjoy being with my husband and two daughters. I am truly blessed!

I had the honor and privilege of becoming a board member in October 2021, but I am no stranger to ALS in the Heartland and its mission. I have served as a committee member for the ALS in the Heartland Walk & Rally for Hope since October 2017, and have been attending the event as a co-captain for Team Dana since 2012.

ALS has affected my family and friends. In the 1990s, my second cousin, Roger fought ALS. In 2011, my 23-year-old cousin, Dana, was diagnosed with ALS; she lost her fight in 2014, but her memory lives on through Team Dana. Gary, a family friend, lost his fight to ALS in 2018. It’s important to me that we support those living with ALS right here, right now because ALS in the Heartland assisted Dana, Gary, and our families every step of the way.
I cannot wait until we have a cure.

I am a high school English teacher at Syracuse Public Schools, and I live in Lincoln with my husband, James, and our german shorthaired pointers. In our free time, James and I enjoy spending time at our family cabin on the Elkhorn River, completing projects on our acreage, rescuing pointers, and most importantly raising funds and awareness for ALS in the Heartland.

I became involved with ALS in the Heartland late in 2007 when the former treasurer contacted me with some issues regarding IRS compliance. I was able to resolve those issues and give the organization some guidance on IRS compliance. When the former treasurer had to resign I saw a perfect opportunity to give back to the community by volunteering my services to the organization. I was so impressed with the passion the Board and the staff had in serving the needs of ALS patients in the area. This is truly a group that is dedicated to serving their fellow man and I am proud to be associated with them.

Veronica worked at Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company for 28 years. She was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mutual First Federal Credit Union for 13 years. Veronica was a volunteer for the United Way Campaign, College World Series ticket sales, Nebraska Public Television fundraiser, Omaha Symphony Designer Show house volunteer, and campaign chairman for the St. Vincent dePaul Shelter Christmas drive for 5 years. Veronica earned a Bachelor of Science in Management degree and a Master’s Degree in Management from Bellevue University. Veronica has been married to Rich Galas for for almost 50 years. They have 2 daughters, Heather Galas-Morris and Trisha Zook, and 4 grandchildren.

I currently serve as Board President and am a founding member of the Board. However, I feel as if it is a “title” only and that our Board acts as one to provide care and services to the people we serve. Dan is President of Lee & Associates. His expertise includes investment property acquisitions and dispositions of commercial real estate. Goaley has been involved in commercial real estate since 1995. Goaley is proud to be a part of ALSITH since its founding in 2006.

Retired Executive Assistant, current Community Volunteer, Founding member of ALS in the Heartland, Secretary of the Board of Directors of ALS in the Heartland

My family and I shared the ALS journey with my husband, Don, who lost his battle in 2004. Our goal in establishing ALS in the Heartland was to use our experience and gained knowledge to offer, free of charge, emotional support, physical assistance, resource information, and needed equipment, to other ALS patients and families in our own community.

My wife Melissa (Missy) was diagnosed with ALS in November of 2014.
We found ALS in the Heartland (ALSITH) and they made us feel like we had hope
ALSITH means everything to me and I will do my best to make Missy proud of me.
I am honored to be selected on the ALSITH board

I work for Omaha Compound Company selling janitorial supplies for over 25 Years.
I also have my own cleaning Business Done Right Floorcare For over 20 years now.

I initially found out about ALS when a good friend of mine was diagnosed with the disease when he was 26 years old. Since then, my aunt has passed away from ALS and a friend of mine from college lost her husband to this horrible disease. I have been actively involved in the fight against ALS for over ten years.

My wife, Kristen, and I live in Blair and have four kids: Ashley, Cody, Emma, and Adam. I work at American National Bank in Omaha and my wife is a dental hygienist at Heartland Family Dentistry in Blair.

Hi there, I’m Mandi Lackas. When my dear friend, Stacie Rhea, was diagnosed with ALS…we all knew what her future would hold. Her grandmother and mother had both passed from ALS in previous years, so Stacie knew her journey would be a rough one and the outcome was not promising. After witnessing firsthand the struggles and devastation ALS causes to its victims and their families, and watching Stacie suffer in her short time left…I knew something had to be done. Stacie lost her battle with ALS in 2010 and at that point I knew I needed to be more involved in spreading awareness. I came upon ALS in the Heartland and knew it was a true fit for achieving my goal.

I am a Realtor licensed in Nebraska under Nebraska Realty. Working with homeowners to sell their current homes, and buyers looking for just the right new house to fit their needs. Along with real estate, I assist new construction and remodeling customers with design and finishes for their new homes.

Sitting on the Board of Directors for ALSITH is an honor and a pleasure. Together with the staff, other Board Members, and all of the incredible volunteers…we can make a huge difference in the lives of those who suffer. I know Stacie is proud of the work we do and is looking down with so much pride!

I feel truly blessed to be a part of ALS in the Heartland because of the caring nature of each staff person, board member and person/family being served. With almost 20 years of my professional life being devoted to serving others with disabilities, a terminal disease and aging frailties, I have always looked with a curious eye at those who lead the organization and truly follow the mission. The leaders of ALS in the Heartland carry the Mission Statement like a banner of honor, and I am proud to join their ranks in 2012.

What do I bring to my role of volunteer leadership on the Board? I bring experience in fundraising, development, marketing and the gift of creativity. I also bring my endless compassion and respect for “friends” with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and their families. People who were dealt a very bad hand in the game of life, but insist on playing it out with integrity and honor.

My wife and I live in Northwest Omaha. Pam is a pharmacist at The Nebraska Medical Center. We have two wonderful children.

My wife, Sharon, was diagnosed with ALS, and I remember the doctor looking at her and saying “there is no known cause, and no known cure.” After meeting with the doctor my wife and I went to a support group. We came home to the kitchen table and decided everything we needed to do. My wife said to me “we need to help others who are affected with this while we can.” I agreed and made a commitment to my wife that is what we would do. Still today I am following up on the commitment I made to my wife and doing all I can for those affected with ALS. My commitment is my passion and that is why I am here at ALS in the heartland – to find a cause and to find a cure.

My husband, John, passed away from ALS in 1996.

Four years ago, I was asked to join ALS in the Heartland Board of Directors. Immediately, I knew this is where I wanted to be. Having gone through John’s illness without this type of support system just reassured me that it was the thing to do. We have a hard working Board and many volunteers that strive to provide the services the patient and their caregivers need – mentally, physically and spiritually. Of course, our main goal is a cure for ALS but until then we will continue to work hard to provide those services.

My name is Jacquie Stewart and my journey with ALS began in 2000 when my Grandmother was diagnosed. In 2002, when I was 19, I moved from Colorado Springs, Colorado to Council Bluffs, Iowa to help care for my grandma. She was a registered nurse by occupation, but was forced to retire when her symptoms started. She lost her battle to ALS in 2008, but it was her stories and guidance that inspired me to become a registered nurse and then go on to become a nurse practitioner. Currently I live in Syracuse, Nebraska with my husband and our two daughters.

I became a board member with ALS in the Heartland in the spring of 2009. ALS in the Heartland was an organization that I wanted to be a part of not only because of all the help they were able to offer us in our time of need, but also because I saw all the potential that the organization possesses. There are so many ways that we are able to help people in Nebraska and Western Iowa who are fighting this terrible disease, and that is something I knew I could be proud to say that I was a part of.

Born Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Avid Red Sox fan
BA English
Peddler 1990 thru 2008
Fine Gifts, Diamonds, Seiko
Presently Regional Manager Regal Advertising
Lost my dad April 1991 to ALS
Extremely interested in patient care and a future cure.

I reside in Beatrice, and am retired from being the V.P. of Manufacturing at The Store Kraft Mfg. Co. of which I was a part of since 1972

My interest and current involvement with ALS started in December of 2003 when my wife Judy was diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN. Knowing nothing about this disease, our family quickly tried to educate ourselves because we found that the local medical profession knew very little as well. Thru the MDA, ALS in the Heartland support Group and Dr. Pattee in Lincoln we knew that there was no cure and no symptoms that indicate you have it. We found that the support group was the only method for each family that was experiencing this disease, and could share feelings, health related issues and ways to make things somewhat tolerable. That’s one of the many things ALS in the Heartland provides today. I am proud to be a member of this Board and hope for a cure soon.