MDA’s ‘Wings Over Wall Street’ Returns as Live Event on June 9
After a two-year hiatus, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is bringing back its in-person Wings Over Wall Street fundraiser gala in New York City, with proceeds going to support MDA research into promising amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) treatments.
The June 9 event, starting at 6 p.m. EST at Guastavino’s, will again be hosted by ABC Eyewitness News anchor Bill Ritter, who is also one of the evening’s four honorees for outstanding contributions to the MDA’s ALS efforts.
Individual tickets for the gala, which include a cocktail reception and dinner, are $500 each. Those wanting to help sponsor the event may do so, with opportunities ranging from $3,500 for four tickets as a “MDA friend,” to $50,000 for a 20-ticket package as a presenting sponsor. More information and registration is available on the Wings Over Wall Street webpage.
“For over 70 years, MDA has led the way, investing over $173 million in innovations in ALS science and care. Thanks to MDA-funded research, we now have treatments for ALS and have made tremendous leaps forward in our understanding of the causes of ALS,” Donald S. Wood, PhD, MDA president and CEO, said in a press release.
“In a partnership that has thrived for more than 20 years, Wings Over Wall Street has presented an outstanding opportunity to spread the word about our mission and to raise critical funding to continue our work,” he added. “We are delighted to be back celebrating this event in person and are most grateful to our honorees, sponsors and attendees.”
Ritter will receive the Beier Award, which goes to an individual who inspires, encourages, and motivates others in work toward ALS treatments that could lead to a cure.
The Diamond Award will be presented to Sabrina Paganoni, MD, PhD, co-director of the MDA ALS Care Center at the Neurological Clinical Research Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital. This award is given to scientific leaders working to eradicate ALS.
Sportscaster and two-time Emmy Award-winner Russ Salzberg will receive the Humanitarian Award, which is presented to those who have provided extraordinary personal and public support toward an ALS cure.
The Spirit Award will be given to Leah Stavenhagen, who was diagnosed with ALS at age 27 and soon after founded Her ALS Story, a site for young women who develop the progressive neurodegenerative disorder before age 35. In addition to helping these women tell their stories and connect with others, Her ALS Story works to counter gender-based disease stereotypes, advocates for ALS care and treatment candidates, and raises funds for ALS research.
The Spirit Award recognizes those who have shown extraordinary commitment and dedication to the eradication of ALS by heightening disease awareness, advocating for funding, and promoting research seeking to cure ALS, thought to affect between 15,000 and 20,000 U.S. residents.
MDA supports a network of more than 150 multidisciplinary care centers across the U.S., and has invested more than $16 million in ALS research grants. It also offers free educational seminars across the country for patients and caregivers.
For more information on the Wings Over Wall Street event, contact Bonnie Fuchs at 631-965-9080 or email her at [email protected].
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