Privacy Policy

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

At West Texas ALS Support Group, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or engage with our services.

By using our website and services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our services.

Information We Collect

Personal Information

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• • Register for our support groups or services
• • Contact us through our website or email
• • Subscribe to our newsletter or communications
• • Participate in surveys or feedback forms
• • Request information about our advocacy services

This personal information may include:

• • Name and contact information (email address, phone number, mailing address)
• • Demographic information (age, location)
• • Health-related information relevant to ALS support services (provided voluntarily)
• • Caregiver status and relationship to patient
• • Communication preferences

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain information about your device and browsing activity, including:

• • IP address and browser type
• • Operating system and device information
• • Pages visited and time spent on our website
• • Referring website or source
• • Clickstream data and navigation patterns

This information is collected through cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies to help us understand how visitors use our website and improve user experience.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for various purposes, including:

• • Providing Support Services: To connect you with appropriate support groups, resources, and advocacy services for ALS patients and caregivers
• • Communication: To respond to your inquiries, send newsletters, and provide updates about our programs and services
• • Program Improvement: To understand the needs of our community and improve our support services and advocacy efforts
• • Website Optimization: To analyze website usage patterns and enhance user experience
• • Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes
• • Research and Advocacy: To support research initiatives and advocacy efforts related to ALS (only with explicit consent and in anonymized form)
• • Security and Fraud Prevention: To protect our organization, users, and website from fraudulent or malicious activities

Information Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

With Your Consent

We may share your personal information with third parties when you have given us explicit permission to do so, such as when connecting you with specific healthcare providers, support services, or advocacy organizations.

Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website and delivering our services, including:

• • Website hosting and maintenance providers
• • Email communication services
• • Data analytics and website performance tools
• • Payment processors (if applicable for donations or services)

These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities, such as court orders, subpoenas, or government regulations. We may also disclose information when we believe it is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others.

Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email or prominent notice on our website of any such change in ownership or control of your personal information.

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• • Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption for data transmission
• • Regular security assessments and updates
• • Restricted access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• • Secure data storage with encrypted databases
• • Staff training on data protection and privacy practices

However, please note that no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location and applicable laws, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Access and Portability

You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you and receive a copy of that information in a structured, commonly used format.

Correction and Update

You have the right to request correction of any inaccurate or incomplete personal information we hold about you. You can update your information by contacting us directly.

Deletion

You have the right to request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain legal exceptions. We will honor such requests unless we are required to retain the information for legal or legitimate business purposes.

Opt-Out of Communications

You can opt out of receiving promotional emails from us by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any marketing email or by contacting us directly. Please note that even if you opt out of marketing communications, we may still send you non-promotional messages related to your use of our services.

Restriction of Processing

You have the right to request that we restrict the processing of your personal information under certain circumstances, such as when you contest the accuracy of the data or object to our processing.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided at the end of this policy. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable law.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience and collect information about how you use our site.

Types of Cookies We Use

• • Essential Cookies: Necessary for the website to function properly
• • Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website
• • Functionality Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings
• • Performance Cookies: Collect information about website performance and user experience

Managing Cookies

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:

• • Delete all cookies from your browser
• • Block cookies from being set
• • Receive notifications when cookies are being set

Please note that blocking or deleting cookies may impact your ability to use certain features of our website.

Third-Party Links and Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, services, or resources that are not operated by us. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those third-party sites, and we are not responsible for their privacy practices or content.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit. When you click on a third-party link, you are leaving our website and are subject to the privacy and security policies of the external site.

We may provide links to healthcare providers, medical resources, government agencies, and other ALS-related organizations for your convenience and information. These links do not constitute an endorsement of their privacy practices or services.

Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 18 without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information from our servers as quickly as possible.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. The criteria we use to determine retention periods include:

• • The duration of your relationship with our organization
• • Legal and regulatory requirements for record retention
• • The nature and sensitivity of the information
• • Legitimate business purposes and operational needs

When we no longer need your personal information, we will securely delete or anonymize it in accordance with our data retention and disposal policies.

International Data Transfers

Our organization is based in the United States, and your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States or other countries where our service providers operate. These countries may have data protection laws that differ from those in your country of residence.

By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States and other countries. We take appropriate measures to ensure that your personal information receives an adequate level of protection wherever it is processed.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make changes, we will:

• • Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• • Post the updated policy on our website
• • Notify you via email or prominent website notice if the changes are significant

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information. Your continued use of our services after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

We are committed to resolving any privacy concerns you may have and will respond to your inquiry within a reasonable timeframe.

For more information about our services and support programs, please visit our homepage or contact us directly.

Review our Terms of Service for additional information about using our website and services.