Author: Joel Sutherland, Development Director
Uncertain times? I don’t think so! Granted, we are not sure if summer camps will be open for the kids in the next several weeks. We are not sure when scheduled weddings will take place with more than 10 people in attendance or when family reunions will once again be a consideration. Who knows if the NFL will be playing in front of any fan base and we wonder when theaters will open for our entertainment pleasure? Okay, you’re right, there are some uncertainties. But if you want to consider these “issues” as uncertainties, let me call out certainties that we are well aware of here at the National Ataxia Foundation regardless of any pandemic or economic slowdown.
Certainties for the Ataxia Community
We are certain that every day people struggle to live with Ataxia. We are certain that each day brings a new diagnosis to another family. We are certain that Ataxia continues to steal ones’ ability to maintain balance, speak without slurring and swallow with ease. We are certain that this thief, Ataxia, needs to be stopped.
We are certain that Principal Investigators, Clinicians, and Coordinators across the country, are working from home each day continuing to advance their research efforts. We are certain that pharmaceutical companies persist in their efforts to find a treatment to deliver a disease modifying treatment. We are certain that young investigators advance their interest in Ataxia research and we are certain they need to be supported.
We are certain that for the fourth consecutive year the $100,000 Summer Match Challenge will begin on June 1st and go through the end of the month. Supported by the Michael and Patricia Clementz-Peterson Family Fund and one anonymous donor, we are certain each dollar donated during this time frame will be matched dollar for dollar. We are certain that our entire Ataxia community needs each one of us to participate in 2020.
While some may not be able to contribute at the level they have in the past, we ask others, to consider a larger gift in 2020. For those who have not donated to the Summer Match Challenge, we hope that you will make 2020 the year to help all those living with Ataxia. Once again, each dollar will be matched and each dollar is needed, that is what we are certain of!
Finally, we are certain that “money buys research and research finds answers.” Remember we are certain that every day people struggle to live with Ataxia. We are certain that each day brings a new diagnosis to another family. We are certain that Ataxia continues to steal ones’ ability to maintain balance, speak without slurring and swallow with ease. We are certain that this thief, Ataxia, needs to be stopped. We are certain your support is needed now.
