2021 Champions for Cures and Care - Flipbook - Page 14
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO
Every year, the Golden West Chapter seizes new opportunities, and faces new challenges. Every
year, we pursue our mission critical objectives with urgency, focus and commitment. Every year,
we advance the search for effective treatments and cures. Every year, we make certain that
everything we do demonstrates our deep commitment to meet the vast array of challenges
faced by the ALS community. And every year, we reach new milestones in providing services,
accelerating research, initiating public policy initiatives and increasing awareness of this
devastating disease. Our growth and impact are made possible by you, the people who care
about those who are living with ALS.
Every year, we demonstrate that we can be trusted with your generous support. For nine
consecutive years, the largest independent evaluator of non-profit organizations, Charity
Navigator, has given us their highest rating, placing the Golden West Chapter among the top 5%
of all charitable organizations in the country. Just two weeks ago I received this statement from
Charity Navigator: “The Golden West Chapter outperforms most other charities in America. This
exceptional designation sets the Golden West Chapter apart from its peers and demonstrates to
the public its trustworthiness.”
Our trustworthiness was also validated this year by the state of California. We are grateful to
Governor Newsom and the California Legislature for renewing and expanding critical funding
for our statewide Wraparound Model of Care, an evidence-based program that advances ALS
research and helps people diagnosed with ALS live longer and better.
Your trust and dedication have enabled us to accomplish more together than ever before.
Through your generous support, we have expanded our clinic partnerships and increased our
programs for youth and caregivers. Working with leading scientists and biotech companies, our
Chapter promotes clinical trials and groundbreaking ALS research. Our strong relationships with
government representatives serve to advance public policy initiatives on behalf of the entire ALS
community. And this year, as with every previous year, we served more people with ALS than
ever before.
The funds we raise tonight, and throughout the year, are reinvested in the mission critical
efforts that power our search for effective treatments and cures for ALS. Your generous support
makes our close collaboration with the ALS research community possible. Your support enables
us to provide vital programs and care services, including professional care management,
multidisciplinary clinical care, support groups, loans of essential equipment, community
outreach and educational events – to more than 1,800 families living with ALS, all completely
free of charge. Your generous contributions ensure that we will continue to innovate and
accelerate.
Thank you for participating in this very special celebration. You make our
impact possible, and you make our progress possible. On behalf of the
Golden West Chapter’s Board of Directors, staff, and the ALS community
we serve, thank you for your steadfast and generous support.
It is only together that we will defeat ALS.
Sincerely,
Fred Fisher, MSW, LCSW
President & CEO
The ALS Association Golden West Chapter