Les Turner ALS Foundation Raises $500,000 at “Hope Through Caring” Event

On Saturday, March 19, the Les Turner ALS Foundation held its 24th Annual “Hope Through Caring” Award Dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago.

The event, which raised nearly $500,000, was hosted by author Jonathan Eig and honored former dean J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD, and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Guests enjoyed dinner, dancing to music by the Jack Kramer Orchestra, a silent and live auction, a paddle raise and video presentation. Proceeds from the Award Dinner support medical research, clinical care, and support services for people with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Dr. Larry Jameson accepted the “Hope Through Caring” Award on behalf of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He acknowledged the 30 year partnership between the medical school and the Les Turner ALS Foundation, noting the growth and impact of the ALS research and clinical care programs. Also, he discussed groundbreaking research discoveries made in the first Les Turner ALS Research Laboratory and spoke about the collaborative efforts taking place between the two ALS laboratories at the medical school. Much work still needs to be done to unravel the mysteries of ALS, but the enduring partnership between the Les Turner ALS Foundation and Northwestern ensures hope for a bright future.

As Dinner Chairpersons, Lynne and David Weinberg of Winnetka helped make the evening a huge success. More than 400 people attended the elegant event and generously donated to the cause through the auctions and Fund a Need paddle raise. The live auction featured prizes such as a seven night trip to South Africa donated by Ker & Downey and a week stay at a private villa in Manzanilla, Mexico. Additionally, the auctioneer inspired guests to donate nearly $74,000 to support critical patient service programs through the paddle raise.

During his remarks, Les Turner ALS Foundation president Harvey Gaffen, shared words written by Aimee Chamernik, an ALS patient from Grayslake. Aimee, who has lost the ability to speak but has gained a voice in the ALS community, shared feelings of loneliness and isolation experienced since her diagnosis six years ago. She stressed the value of the Les Turner ALS Foundation for people affected by ALS, noting that her family can always turn to the organization to find understanding, compassion, and the tools and resources for making life a little more manageable. Her emotional, honest words had an impact on the event attendees.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a terminal neuromuscular disease that attacks a person’s muscles, gradually robbing them of their ability to walk, speak, eat and breathe, yet usually keeping their mind intact. At any given time, approximately 35,000 people in the United States are living with ALS. While treatments and interventions can help alleviate some symptoms, enhance quality of life and prolong survival, there is no cure.

“Hope Through Caring” Award

The “Hope Through Caring” Award was established in 1988 to honor those whose commitment to the fight against ALS has helped raise funds for research, provide services for patients and their families and increase public awareness. The beautiful award was created by local artist John David Mooney in memory of his brother, Father Harold Mooney, and in memory of A. William Haarlow.

Les Turner ALS Foundation

Founded in 1977, the Les Turner ALS Foundation is recognized internationally and is the only independent, publicly supported non-profit organization in the Chicago area dedicated solely to the treatment and elimination of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The Foundation is affiliated with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine where it funds two world-class scientific research laboratories and a large multi-disciplinary clinical program.

The Foundation's comprehensive patient services include, support group meetings, professional in-home consultation services, communications and durable medical equipment programs, respite care grants, and educational activities. Currently, the Foundation serves approximately 90 percent of the ALS population in the Chicago area.

For more information about ALS and the Les Turner ALS Foundation, call 847-679-3311 or visit www.lesturnerals.org.