Funding medical research into the cause, treatment and cure for ALS has been the fundamental goal of the Les Turner ALS Foundation since its establishment in 1977. The Foundation's first major achievement was the 1979 opening of the nation's first laboratory dedicated solely to ALS research at Northwestern University Medical School. The Foundation remains affiliated with Northwestern and continues to fund cutting-edge research at the Les Turner ALS Research Laboratory at the Feinberg School of Medicine as well as new and promising ALS research projects at other teaching institutions in Illinois.

It is through scientific research that the Foundation can provide ALS patients of today hope for tomorrow.