ALS Association Michigan Chapter presents:
The Legacy of Hope Awards Gala 2014
Special honorees Dr. Eva Feldman and Mr. A. Alfred Taubman

On Thursday April 3rd, 2014, The Townsend Hotel would play host to the first annual ALS Association of Michigan’s Legacy of Hope Awards Gala. The awards are set up for recognition for those who have contributed in some way in the fight for a treatment for ALS.

The honorees for this evening were Dr. Eva Feldman, world-renowned neurologist and ALS researcher, and Mr. A. Alfred Taubman, a successful businessman and big-hearted philanthropist. With the support of Mr. Taubman, Dr. Feldman and her team are on the cusp of finding a treatment for the devastating disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) commonly known as “Lou Gerhig’s Disease,” with the use of stem cells. These are directly implanted into the spine of early-diagnosed patients.

Each year approximately 5,600 individuals are diagnosed with this disease and are faced with an estimated life span of 3 to 5 years. These patients face a slow and horrible end of their lives.

Twenty-five years ago, a young, sharp, good-looking doctor by the name of Eva Feldman at the University of Michigan asked the question, “why can’t we find a cure?” Since that time, Dr. Feldman has been relentless in her search to find a solution.

This kind of disciplined lab trial work is time consuming, focused and costly. Step in Mr. A. Alfred Taubman, renowned businessman and philanthropist. From the stage of the event at the Townsend he remarked, “For me, in my lifetime I have been fortunate that my hard work has been successful. My goal with my money is to help mankind through needed research. My number one target is ALS.”

The graceful Dr. Feldman was as humble as you could imagine as she thanked her team and Mr. Taubman. She ushered praise on her lab team and her words for Mr. Taubman were equally grateful for everything that he has helped make possible.
 
Mr. Taubman, the distinguished gentleman, was every bit as honored and humble as his predecessor to the podium. For a man who has been honored multiple times in his life for a variety of accomplishments and donations it was clear that he was excited and appreciative of this particular achievement.

So together like Batman and Robin or Starsky and Hutch, these two have set their sights on continuing the war against ALS to achieve the goal of making this an “ALS-free world.”

To read more about Dr. Eva Feldman and role in the Embrace of Aging series, please read the following from our website.

http://embraceofaging.com/Women/2013-06-19.html
http://embraceofaging.com/Women/2013-11-06-2.html
http://embraceofaging.com/Women/2014-03-26.html