About OPALS 4 ALS
Our Name: Why OPALS 4 ALS?
OPALS holds a dual and deeply meaningful significance.
PALS is a widely recognized term in the ALS community, referring to Persons with ALS. Including this in our name honors the individuals at the heart of our mission.
The opal gemstone is celebrated for its iridescent beauty and symbolism, representing:
Hope – Optimism and light in the face of adversity
Healing – Emotional and spiritual restoration
Confidence – Enhanced self-worth and self-expression
Individuality – Each opal is one-of-a-kind, just like every person
Inner Beauty – A glow that comes from within
Transformation – Resilience and grace through change
Like opals, the people we serve are unique, radiant, and deserving of care, dignity, and recognition.
The number 4 honors Lou Gehrig, the legendary New York Yankees first baseman whose diagnosis ultimately gave ALS its original name—Lou Gehrig’s disease. On July 4, 1939, during Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day at Yankee Stadium, Gehrig stood at home plate and delivered one of the most iconic speeches in sports history.
Despite facing a terminal illness, he spoke with humility and grace, saying, “For the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”
His courage, dignity, and resilience continue to inspire the ALS community to this day.
OPALS 4 ALS: Offering Pampering for People Living with ALS
Our Mission
OPALS 4 ALS (Offering Pampering for People Living with ALS) is a nonprofit organization that connects compassionate beauty and wellness professionals with people living with ALS.
Through thoughtfully delivered wellness services, OPALS 4 ALS helps restore confidence, dignity, and a sense of self to individuals facing profound physical and emotional changes.
At OPALS 4 ALS, we believe beauty and self-care are powerful forms of healing and that everyone deserves to feel radiant, seen, and strong.
Why It Matters
Living with ALS brings significant physical changes and emotional challenges. Everyday acts of self-care can become difficult or impossible, often impacting how individuals feel about themselves.
Pampering is not a luxury—it is a meaningful way to restore confidence, dignity, and connection. Through OPALS 4 ALS, beauty and wellness services become moments of empowerment.
You have the power to give someone back something they may have thought was lost forever: confidence.
Our Values
At OPALS 4 ALS, our work is guided by a deep belief that beauty and self-care can transform how people feel—inside and out. Our values are rooted in four core principles:
Compassion
We serve with love, empathy, and respect for every individual and their journey.
Empowerment
We help restore confidence, dignity, and a sense of self through artistry and care.
Community
We build a supportive network of people living with ALS, caregivers, beauty and wellness professionals, donors, and advocates.
Gratitude
Our work is grounded in appreciation—for life, strength, resilience, and partnership with the ALS community.