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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact:Jenica Lancy
Director of Communications
(415) 967-2572(ALSA)
media@alsagoldenwest.org

 

  Logo- alsagoldenwest .85

Champions in the fight against ALS to be honored in San Francisco

April 15, 2016 - San Francisco, CA

     2016 Champions for Care and a Cure

The ALS Association Golden West Chapter has announced its honorees for the 2016 Champions for Care and A Cure benefit to be held on Friday, June 3, 2016 in San Francisco. From the historic InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel on top of the city’s famous Nob Hill, this one-night-only special event features a gourmet dinner, auction, entertainment, and presentation of the Golden West Chapter’s Essey Awards to notable members of the ALS community.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a fatal, neurodegenerative illness that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. The average life expectancy of a person with ALS is two to five years from diagnosis. As the disease progresses, people with ALS lose the ability to walk, move, speak, swallow and, eventually, to breathe– all while the mind and senses continue to function. Veterans are at twice the risk as those who have not served in the military. Currently, there is no known cause or cure for ALS.

The prestigious Essey Awards, named in honor of one of the chapter’s founders, San Francisco’s own Richard “Dick” Essey, are given annually for outstanding efforts in support of The ALS Association’s mission-priorities in public awareness, care services, and research. The Golden West Chapter will recognize the following honorees for outstanding achievements in the fight against ALS:

  • Cytokinetics, Inc. will receive the Commitment to a Cure Award for championing ALS drug development, supporting ALS awareness, and enhancing the quality of care for people living with ALS and their families.

  • Matt Chaney will be celebrated with the Spirit Award for his extraordinary determination and efforts in the areas of advocacy, fundraising, and public awareness. Since his ALS diagnosis in 2000 at the age of 40, Matt has participated in many local and national efforts including: Major League Baseball’s “4ALS” initiative with the San Francisco Giants; the California Tax Check off, which raised over $600,000 for ALS research; many youth community outreach efforts including the “Runs for ALS” Lafayette Little League campaign; and the Napa Valley Ride to Defeat ALS and Walk.

  • Kaiser Permanente Northern California will be honored with the Commitment to Care Award for launching new multidisciplinary ALS clinics to provide coordinated, expert care and treatment of people with ALS.

In addition, this year marks the 20th Anniversary of the creation of Sheila Essey Award for ALS Research. Since 1996, The ALS Association, in partnership with the American Academy of Neurology, has presented the prestigious award, which acknowledges those who are making significant contributions in the search for the causes, potential treatments, and a cure for ALS. The award was created in memory of Sheila Essey, Dick’s beloved wife, who battled ALS for 10 years and died from the disease in 2004. There will be a special presentation to honor the generous contributions of Dick and The Essey Family Fund to accelerate ALS research.

Proceeds will provide funding for The ALS Association Golden West Chapter’s mission critical priorities in care services, public policy, and cutting-edge global research toward treatments and a cure for ALS. For tickets and more information, please visit www.ALSChampions.org.

ABOUT THE ALS ASSOCIATION GOLDEN WEST CHAPTER:

The mission of The ALS Association is to lead the fight to treat and cure ALS through global research and nationwide advocacy while also empowering people with Lou Gehrig’s Disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support.  We are a member of the National Health Council and the only national organization solely dedicated to fighting ALS on all fronts while directly serving the ALS community.  By leading the way in global research, providing assistance for people with ALS through a nationwide network of chapters, coordinating multidisciplinary care through certified clinical care centers, and fostering government partnerships, The ALS Association builds hope and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure. The Golden West Chapter serves people with ALS and their families in 31 counties throughout California and in the state of Hawaii.   For more information about The ALS Association Golden West Chapter, please visit us at www.alsagoldenwest.org or email us at info@alsagoldenwest.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact:Jenica Lancy
Director of Communications
(415) 967-2572(ALSA)
media@alsagoldenwest.org

 

  Logo- alsagoldenwest .85

Champions in the fight against ALS to be honored in San Francisco

April 15, 2016 - San Francisco, CA

     2016 Champions for Care and a Cure

The ALS Association Golden West Chapter has announced its honorees for the 2016 Champions for Care and A Cure benefit to be held on Friday, June 3, 2016 in San Francisco. From the historic InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel on top of the city’s famous Nob Hill, this one-night-only special event features a gourmet dinner, auction, entertainment, and presentation of the Golden West Chapter’s Essey Awards to notable members of the ALS community.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a fatal, neurodegenerative illness that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. The average life expectancy of a person with ALS is two to five years from diagnosis. As the disease progresses, people with ALS lose the ability to walk, move, speak, swallow and, eventually, to breathe– all while the mind and senses continue to function. Veterans are at twice the risk as those who have not served in the military. Currently, there is no known cause or cure for ALS.

The prestigious Essey Awards, named in honor of one of the chapter’s founders, San Francisco’s own Richard “Dick” Essey, are given annually for outstanding efforts in support of The ALS Association’s mission-priorities in public awareness, care services, and research. The Golden West Chapter will recognize the following honorees for outstanding achievements in the fight against ALS:

  • Cytokinetics, Inc. will receive the Commitment to a Cure Award for championing ALS drug development, supporting ALS awareness, and enhancing the quality of care for people living with ALS and their families.

  • Matt Chaney will be celebrated with the Spirit Award for his extraordinary determination and efforts in the areas of advocacy, fundraising, and public awareness. Since his ALS diagnosis in 2000 at the age of 40, Matt has participated in many local and national efforts including: Major League Baseball’s “4ALS” initiative with the San Francisco Giants; the California Tax Check off, which raised over $600,000 for ALS research; many youth community outreach efforts including the “Runs for ALS” Lafayette Little League campaign; and the Napa Valley Ride to Defeat ALS and Walk.

  • Kaiser Permanente Northern California will be honored with the Commitment to Care Award for launching new multidisciplinary ALS clinics to provide coordinated, expert care and treatment of people with ALS.

In addition, this year marks the 20th Anniversary of the creation of Sheila Essey Award for ALS Research. Since 1996, The ALS Association, in partnership with the American Academy of Neurology, has presented the prestigious award, which acknowledges those who are making significant contributions in the search for the causes, potential treatments, and a cure for ALS. The award was created in memory of Sheila Essey, Dick’s beloved wife, who battled ALS for 10 years and died from the disease in 2004. There will be a special presentation to honor the generous contributions of Dick and The Essey Family Fund to accelerate ALS research.

Proceeds will provide funding for The ALS Association Golden West Chapter’s mission critical priorities in care services, public policy, and cutting-edge global research toward treatments and a cure for ALS. For tickets and more information, please visit www.ALSChampions.org.

ABOUT THE ALS ASSOCIATION GOLDEN WEST CHAPTER:

The mission of The ALS Association is to lead the fight to treat and cure ALS through global research and nationwide advocacy while also empowering people with Lou Gehrig’s Disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support.  We are a member of the National Health Council and the only national organization solely dedicated to fighting ALS on all fronts while directly serving the ALS community.  By leading the way in global research, providing assistance for people with ALS through a nationwide network of chapters, coordinating multidisciplinary care through certified clinical care centers, and fostering government partnerships, The ALS Association builds hope and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure. The Golden West Chapter serves people with ALS and their families in 31 counties throughout California and in the state of Hawaii.   For more information about The ALS Association Golden West Chapter, please visit us at www.alsagoldenwest.org or email us at info@alsagoldenwest.org