Happy birthday to Michele Dupree! Michele doesn’t have ALS, but she is a tireless advocate for those of us who do, and she works harder to end this disease than anyone I’ve ever met. Michele is on the #whatwouldyougive team and she is giving up her voice and hands today – – on her birthday. Please consider donating to Michele’s page as a birthday gift for someone who has been so selfless and dedicated. We love you, Michele! Happy birthday!
Here are Michele’s own words about her challenge:
I’d give anything to end ALS
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to sit with Steve Perrin, the CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS.NET). Anyone who knows me knows that having a cocktail while chatting with Dr. Perrin was my idea of the perfect night! While anyone can call or email him with a question, having a candid conversation (and asking 1,000 questions) over a couple of glasses of wine proved to be a milestone in my life. I have never before felt so hopeful and excited about the state of ALS research but also so compelled to raise money for the work they are doing. I believe they are our greatest hope, they are doing things unconventionally and trying to work as fast as they can. Now is the time for all of us to do everything we can to help them work faster! They have their most promising treatment candidate to date currently being manufactured and the first ALS Precision Medicine Program preparing to test drugs against participant’s cell lines. Now imagine what we could do to move this faster!!
Since the day I met my friend Pam who was diagnosed with ALS, I have tried to use every opportunity to raise funding and awareness of this brutal disease. My birthday is no different and instead of wishes, gifts or cocktails, I would be grateful for your financial support to help end ALS. Even $1 will mean a lot to me because it means you understand that each person makes a difference when it comes to the time bomb known as ALS.
In exchange for your donations, I will be giving up my voice and hands and will use an eye tracking computer for the day to show my friends with ALS how much I care about them and with your support- to help expedite a treatment. Every dollar goes towards the critical work being done at the ALS TDI.
Thank you for caring and if you can’t give money, consider joining the team and raising money through your own network by giving up a physical ability. Join here.
Please visit my friend Sarah’s fundraising page to see more about why I am doing this. I am doing this for her!
**ALS weakens and paralyzes voluntary muscles, like those in the arms, hands, feet, legs, throat, and lungs. The average patient lives only 2-5 years from diagnosis, but with more attention and funding, we CAN find treatments and an eventual cure for this disease.
I’m doing my part to make ALS history. What would you give to end this disease? Please help me by donating to ALS TDI and advancing ALS research. #whatwouldyougive #letsmakeALShistory
Thank you again! LET’S DO THIS!