Press Release: "Art From the Heart ALS Fundraising Event To Offer Art and Education"
For immediate release
ASHEVILLE, NC – The ALS Race for Research Foundation (ALS-RR), a nonprofit fundraising organization founded by Christy Sloan, Asheville native and ALS patient, and her parents, Dr. and Mrs. James Sloan, will be hosting “Art from the Heart,” a fundraising and educational event, on Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30, in Asheville, NC. The event activities include the following:
- Friday, April 29, 10 a.m. – noon: Educational Seminar, “Strategies for ALS,” at MAHEC, 501 Biltmore Avenue, Classroom 2 – presented by Jamie Heywood, of the ALS Therapy Development Foundation (ALS TDF), a highly acclaimed research and development organization that has been featured on “60 Minutes.” The seminar, which is designed for patients and their loved ones, medical professionals, and professional caregivers, provides background on the biology and effects of ALS, and highlights the current and innovative research on finding treatments and a cure. The session, which is open to the public and free of charge, will be followed by a question & answer session and BBQ lunch provided by Skeeters BBQ, a long-time supporter of ALS-RR. Reservations are recommended, and can be made by calling Susan Maultsby at (828) 337-2828 or Julie Cooley at (828) 553-1116 or (828) 883-5833. [Directions to MAHEC via maps.google.com]
- Saturday, April 30, 1- 4:30 p.m.: Art Exhibit and Silent Auction, at the DoubleTree Biltmore Hotel, 115 Hendersonville Road, The Galleria, (adjacent to Main Lobby) – featuring more than 100 works of fine art and crafts by over 25 accomplished artists. Some of the featured works include original watercolor paintings by Sallie Middleton; sculptures created by Earline Heath King of Winston-Salem and Nell Scruggs, formerly of Asheville, presently located in Thousand Oaks, CA; and computer-generated watercolors by Dr. L.S. Rathbun. Silent Auction bidding closes at 4 p.m. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the ALS Race for Research Foundation.
Beginning at 2 p.m.: Artists’ Presentation: Angelo Sciulli, ALS patient, nature artist, and author of Challenging Nature Photography, now unable to speak, will give a PowerPoint presentation on the evolution of his photographic work over the course of the progression of his illness. Chase Pickering, local nature photographer and exhibiting artist, will give a presentation on his artistic process. Live music will be provided by the Appalachian Brass Quintet. These activities are open to the public and free of charge. [Directions to the DoubleTree via maps.google.com]
All event facilities provide ample access for people with disabilities.
The Foundation: The ALS Race for Research Foundation was founded in 2001 by long-time local residents, Jim and Joanna Sloan, and their daughter Christy Sloan who, in 1999, had received a diagnosis that she had ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Immediately upon hearing the diagnosis of the debilitating and fatal disease, Christy, a banking executive with First Union and an accomplished equestrian, skier, and water sports enthusiast, exclaimed, “Doing nothing is not an option.” Discovering that no viable long-term treatments existed, the Sloans decided to establish their own nonprofit organization to increase funding for promising new research and treatments. Often called an “orphan disease,” government and pharmaceutical funding for ALS stands at a fraction of that committed to other serious diseases, such as cancer or AIDS. The Foundation’s goals are to reverse this trend, funding innovative new research and treatments with private donations. Despite the loss of their daughter, Christy, who passed away on September 19, 2004, the Sloans remain unwavering in their commitment to this cause, working to help others affected by the ravages of this fatal neurological disease.
ALS, The Disease: ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a disease that progressively degenerates nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. While early-stage symptoms usually include reduced use of muscles in the arms and legs, progression of the disease often leads to total paralysis, with the inability to swallow or breath. Yet, through it all, for the vast majority of people, their minds remain unaffected. The prognosis for ALS patients is invariably dismal. According to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, an estimated 5,000 new cases of ALS are diagnosed each year, with nearly 30,000 people presently living with ALS in the U.S. today.
The Seminar: “Strategies for ALS,” created and presented by Jamie Heywood, is one of many educational offerings by Mr. Heywood and ALS TDF, the world’s first ALS-focused nonprofit biotechnology company. Jamie Heywood founded the organization after his brother, Stephen, was diagnosed with ALS in 1999. Through their high-tech research facility, considered the leading drug discovery center for ALS, the Heywoods are committed to finding treatments and a cure for the disease.
For anyone unable to attend the event activities that would like to make a tax-deductible donation, they may do so by two methods: 1) online at www.als-rr.org, or 2) by mailing a check, made payable to “ALS Race for Research,” to 34 Dover Street, Asheville, NC 28804.
For more information on the “Art from the Heart” event, please contact Julie Cooley at (828) 553-1116 or Dr. and Mrs. James M. Sloan at (828) 258-8744.
posted Sunday, March 13, 2005 by Scott Parkerson in Events