ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Progress
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From the Desk of Jerry Dawson, President and CEO of The ALS Association Jim "Catfish" Hunter Chapter
As Thanksgiving approaches, we are reminded that we have so much to be thankful for. The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has been a true blessing. (In case you missed it, please take a moment to view our one-minute ALS Ice Bucket Challenge “Thank You” video.)
Thanks to the Ice Bucket Challenge, not only have we received a huge influx of money to accelerate research, millions of people around the world now know about ALS. The ALS Association can now triple research funding and increase access to care services. And we can ensure that this research and access continues to be funded for several years.
Local donations from the Ice Bucket Challenge have been wonderful and we are so grateful!
I am pleased to report that local Ice Bucket Challenge donations have already been put to work to help families in North Carolina. The Chapter Board of Directors approved support for the newly created ALS Clinic at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, directed by Dr. Chafic Karam. This support will help reduce a significant backlog of ALS patients throughout North Carolina waiting to be seen by an ALS specialist.
However, the Ice Bucket Challenge donations we received represent only a small percentage of our Chapter’s annual program budget. We support 5 multi-disciplinary ALS Clinics, 5 Durable Medical Equipment Loan Closets, and 16 monthly ALS Support Groups. We are on track to approve 500 financial grants this year that will aid families in paying for needs not covered by insurance. We must sustain these critical services as long as they are needed.
On behalf of the North Carolina Chapter of the ALS Association, thank you for being a part of our ever-growing “family” who are united to create a world without ALS. We are nothing without you!
Gratefully,
Jerry Dawson
President & CEO
