The Angel Fund for ALS Research is an independent nonprofit charity benefiting ALS research at the Cecil B. Day Laboratory for Neuromuscular Research at UMASS Medical School in Worcester.
Dr. Robert H. Brown, Jr. and his team at UMass Medical School are working on amazing cutting-edge research turning off mutant genes that cause ALS and bringing the research to HUMAN TRIALS. There has never been such promising research than that which is happening right now in the lab. So much is being done with innovative approaches toward a treatment.
ALS is a progressive and ultimately fatal neurological disease that attacks the motor neurons in the brain, brain stem and spinal cord. The resulting motor neuron loss causes increasingly debilitating paralysis as the muscles of the body waste away. Death comes when victims lose critical functions such as the ability to swallow and ultimately, to breathe. ALS is particularly insidious because the intellect remains intact while ALS victims gradually lose the ability to control their muscles, to communicate, and eventually to breathe. There is no known cure for ALS, and death usually occurs in 2 to 5 years.
The Harpoon 5 Miler community has raised over $3 million for the Angel Fund. Can we count on you to make a donation this year?
If your company does matching donations the information for that is: 'Angel Fund, Inc.' and the 501-c3 Federal ID 04-3478977
Thank you for any help you can provide in our fight against this devastating disease. For more information, please visit www.theangelfund.org.
The Peter Frates Foundation is a newly formed 501c3 non-profit with the mission to assist progressed ALS patients and their families with the overwhelming cost of home health care. As the disease of ALS progresses through the patient’s body, the employment of specialized and skilled providers is imperative for required level care assuring the stability of the patient as they continue to live in their home surrounded by the love and comfort of family and friends.
A former Captain of the Boston College baseball team and professional baseball player in Europe, Pete Frates was diagnosed with ALS in March of 2012, at the age of 27. Since his diagnosis, Pete has enjoyed the strength and support of his family and new bride, Julie. Pete and Julie were married in June of 2013, and together they, as well as his whole family, have taken an active role in raising awareness and funds for ALS research.
To learn more, visit https://petefrates.com/.
When you register for the Harpoon 5-Miler and make a donation, you’ll be eligible for the following Harpoon gifts. By donating $50+, you will receive a Harpoon Baseball Cap. Donations of $100+ will receive a Harpoon Insulated Stainless Steel Travel Cup. Donations of $250+ will receive a Harpoon IPA Sherpa Lined Blanket.
NOTE TO RUNNERS: A fundraising page will be automatically created for you when you register. On your payment confirmation page, you will see yourself listed as a new fundraiser. Do not be confused when you see this-- it's supposed to be there!
You will receive an email soon with more instructions re: how to set up your fundraising page. You can choose to use it or not use it -- but we hope that you do. Thank you in advance for anything you can do to help this worthy cause!
