Giving Compass' Take:

• The Boston Herald reports on the state of ALS funding since the Ice Bucket Challenge went viral four years ago. Costs of bringing drugs to market are still sky high, and so there is a long road ahead.

• Philanthropic organizations can help fund research and raise awareness about the events listed in this piece. But, mainly, we should all think about the impact that devastating diseases like ALS has on its victims and redouble our efforts.

• Here's why healthcare focus needs to be on patients first.

The Ice Bucket Challenge that took the internet by storm four years ago raised millions of dollars for researching ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease — but there is more to be done as the intense, costly work of drug development goes on.

“It still costs over $200 billion to bring a drug to market,” said Lynn Aaronson, executive director of the ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter. “The more we can get in the pipeline, the better the chances are that something is going to stick.”

For those who still want to get involved, there’s no shortage of opportunities.

The ALS Association has three major events coming up this fall: A walk to defeat ALS on Oct. 14 at Endicott College in Beverly; another walk on Oct. 20 at Carson Beach in South Boston; and for cyclists, a ride to defeat ALS on Sept. 23 at the Longfellow Club.

People can also become advocates for changes in Congress. The association is working to pass a bill requiring that the five-month waiting period for Social Security disability insurance be waived for ALS patients.

Read the full article about the work left to do on ALS by Lindsay Kalter at Boston Herald.