LETTER FROM ERIN

Dear Friends,

I have a very special and deeply personal request that I need your help with. Four years ago I received the devastating news that I had Juvenile ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. I was only 11 at the time. This progressive neuromuscular disease has no known origin and no known cure. After hearing this, I immediately embarked on what is now my life’s mission – to understand the cause and to find a cure for ALS.

In the past three years, with the help of family and friends, we have raised over $500,000 for research at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute in Washington, D.C. Under the direction of Eric Hoffman, world-renowned scientist in neuromuscular research, great progress has been made to better understand Juvenile ALS, adult onset ALS and other childhood neuromuscular diseases. I hope you will read the research section of this web site to thoroughly understand the impact that this cutting edge research is having on so many people who suffer from these incurable diseases.

So many of us go through our daily lives and only hear these stories. Most of us don’t know anyone, especially a child, directly affected by an incurable disease. However, there are children, like me, all over the world who have received a devastating diagnosis and their dreams for the future take a dramatic turn. Their lives start revolving around hope.

A few months ago, a couple who heard of my story, generously pledged $100,000 in matching funds to support our research initiative. Diana and Stephen Goldberg, benefactors of Children’s National Medical Center, met me and my family and were deeply moved by our motivation to find a cure for ALS. What this means is that for every dollar we raise by June 30, 2003, the Goldberg’s will match it, up to $100,000. We can't let this one slip by - gifts like this don't come very often. Help us make our goal!

By participating in this fundraising effort you can be guaranteed that 100% of your tax-deductible contribution will go directly to The Erin Godla Research Fund for Neuromuscular Diseases. And now, through the generosity of the Goldberg’s, your gift will be worth twice as much and will make double the impact.

Please be a part of making a difference in my life and the lives of all children who suffer from incurable neuromuscular diseases. Just click on “Making A Gift” for options on how you can support this needed research project. Your donation helps create an opportunity. Opportunity provides hope and hope is what I live with. Thank you for your generous support.

Best Wishes,
Erin