News

Alpha-1 Foundation closes in on Million Dollar Match just a day before Celebration of Life; pledges keep coming in

MIAMI, FL—Almost a year ago, the Alpha-1 Foundation announced a first-in-its-history million-dollar matching grant from Talecris Biotherapeutics.

Talecris Chairman and CEO Lawrence Stern announced the grant at the Foundation’s annual Celebration of Life event May 1, 2009.

The Million Dollar Match grant allows the Foundation to match, dollar for dollar, every donation to Alpha-1 research programs this year, up to a million dollars.

Just one day before this year’s Celebration of Life—Friday, April 30—the Foundation is getting close to matching the million. With $182,000 still needed to achieve the million-dollar goal, pledges are coming in:

  • Bill Brown of Seattle, Washington, pledged $5,000. He was the first donor to answer the Foundation’s email Wednesday about the Million Dollar Match. His pledge is in honor of his sister, “a very courageous and inspiring person to her family and friends.”
  • Susan W. of Missouri wrote, “I can only do $50 right now.” (Which is great, since that doubles to $100 for research programs!)
  • A family foundation has pledged to donate $50,000.
  • CSL Behring has pledged $25,000 “in recognition of the extraordinary work of the Alpha-1 Foundation.”
  • Dennis Pollock, the Alpha Oakies support group, and their friends have pledged to raise $5,000 at their annual golf tournament Saturday, May 15, in Oklahoma City.
  • Judy Simon and friends have pledged to raise $5,000 at the “Get the Scoop on Alpha-1 Ice Cream Event” in Denver, CO, May 27.
  • Ilysse Ratner raised $500 last week through a “Give Back Night” at the New Jersey restaurant where she works. Ilysse raised the money in memory of “the most special person in my life,” her father, Michael Ratner, an Alpha who died five years ago.

Since all administrative and fundraising costs are funded by a portion of AlphaNet’s contribution to the Foundation, all of the donations are being earmarked for Foundation research programs.

Can you help us finally match that million?

If you can, we’ll make it quick and easy.
Donate Here.

Finally, this is not about money but about why we at the Foundation do what we do;

“I do not have any money at this time, but I would like to share my story if possible.

I gave birth to three boys in a matter of 2 1/2 years. They were all diagnosed early in life with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.

My oldest passed away April 29, 2008 (two years ago today) awating a liver transplant at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

My next son will be four years old May 3. He is on five types of medication and has a history of seizures because he can’t absorb potassium and vitamins. He has been in and out of hospitals for ascites due to cirrhosis.

My youngest in 2 1/2 and his protein level is almost normal, but a mutating form of Alpha-1, I believe. He was doing fine up until recently when he began to get out of air just by running around playing in the yard. I am watching him closely.

I thank you for listening and I love being a part of the Foundation. It has helped me a lot.”
—RR in Florida