Claire Peterson

Dreams Don’t Die: One Family’s Story of Hope

“I am gratified to have been able to make a substantial gift to ALSA, and I challenge anyone affected by ALS to research the various gift options ALSA offers.“ Claire urges. ”Down the line, there will be a cure and you will want to know that you were a part of it.”

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The Greatest Gift

“I know the money given to The ALS Association will be used for the betterment of ALS patients.”

Don Long is no longer active with the chapter, he still continues his family’s legacy by contributing to The ALS Association through a charitable gift annuity. With this financial arrangement, Don transferredsome assets to ALSA, which ALSA reinvested. In return, Don receives fixed income payments from ALSA for his entire life, after which the funds are available for use in the fight against ALS. In addition, Don received an income tax charitable deduction the year he established his gift annuity.

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Roger Gleckman

A Son's Commitment to Finding a Cure

Having spent years helping people as an immigration attorney, the younger Gleckman saw an opportunity to help those fighting with ALS. But unlike many people who donate to The ALS Association by simply writing a check, Gleckman decided to tackle the disease a different way. More specifically, he battles ALS by having established a gift arrangement known as a charitable remainder trust, which allowed him to transfer highly appreciated assets into a trust without incurring the prohibitive capital gain tax. The trust pays income to Mr. Gleckman and his wife for their lives, after which the assets are distributed to ALSA.

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Lorraine's husband

A Promise Kept

In the time since Lorraine's passing in 2000, her husband took action to fulfill her wishes. He included a provision in his living trust stating that the proceeds from the sale of their home will be given to The ALS Association (ALSA) and directed to ALSA's cutting-edge research program. "It made me happy to do it," he says. "This was my wife's wish, and I want to honor her wish." Today, the home is worth many times more what Lorraine and her husband paid for it.

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Maggie and Paul Molony

So one day we can say, 'Mission accomplished!'

After Susan's passing, Maggie and Paul decided to do something in memory of their four children: include a bequest to ALSA in their wills. "When Susan passed away, there was no doubt in our minds that ALSA would share in our wills," Maggie says.

The Molonys are hopeful that their gift will help ALSA continue its world-class research efforts. "My wish is to open new avenues of more research on stem cells and to find a cure in time so that our eight grandchildren and future family members may live in peace without the fear of being stricken," Maggie says.

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Laura Stanley

A Family Affair

Laura Stanley knows the toll that ALS can take on a family. In her case, that toll has been devastating: since the early 1900s, 27 members of Laura’s family – including her mother and grandfather – are known to have died from ALS. Her brother, David, and cousin, Pavia Wald, are fighting the disease today.

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Mildred Landecker

Music to Her Ears

Mildred Landecker’s passion in life has always been music. She trained at the Juilliard School of Music for five years and, at age 19, received her master’s degree from New York University. She taught music at the prestigious New York High School of Music and Art, authored three technical books about music, and gave piano recitals all over the country. To this day, at 91, she teaches music at a local college and has a number of private piano students.

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William L'Heureux

Tribute to a Real Fighter

Bill Larue was known as the “laughing gladiator.” An amateur boxing champion, he was well-known to many San Franciscans in the 1920s and early 1930s for his athletic prowess and for his considerable charitable work with local organizations.

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