The ALS Evening of Hope is a black tie dinner, dance and auction benefiting research into the cause of and cure for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” Since the inception of the Evening of Hope in 1993, all net proceeds -- 100% -- have been distributed to ALS researchers. Since 1993, the Evening of Hope has raised over $1.9 million for ALS research, and the vast majority of those funds has been distributed to scientists and researchers in the State of Wisconsin. Most recently, these funds have been distributed to the Waisman Center, a leading edge research facility at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Center’s most recent research study, which was conducted by ALS researcher Clive Svendsen, Ph.D., over the past two years, was named “The Jeff Kaufman Project,” in honor of Jeff Kaufman -- local attorney, ALS patient and founder of the Evening of Hope.

ALS is not contagious. It has no cure and its cause is unknown. The word, amyo-trophic is derived from the Greek and means “muscle wasting.” Lat-eral refers to the parts in a person’s spinal cord where nerve cells are located. As the nerve cells die, scler-o-sis or scarring occurs. In essence, ALS attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, affecting the ability to control muscle movement. There are different varieties of ALS and the disease may affect
individuals in different ways. In most cases, however, the first symptom is muscle weakness. Ultimately, ALS affects the muscles needed for such vital functions as breathing and swallowing, leaving an individual with ALS with an intact mind imprisoned inside an unresponsive body.

The Evening of Hope is sponsored by the ALS Association-Wisconsin Chapter, and is the Chapter’s premier fundraising event for ALS research. Attendees enjoy complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres during the silent auction, which consists of donated vacations, performances, landscaping, artwork, jewelry, sporting events, autographed items and more. Following the silent auction, attendees enjoy a sit down dinner, a presentation and a voice auction. The evening concludes with live music and dancing.

Thank you for considering sponsoring the 2012 ALS Evening of Hope.

To learn more about The Evening of Hope, click the links below: