Using a bull’s-eye to represent ALS’s cure isn’t original but it’s useful. Not long ago, scientists had no idea where to aim their searches. Is a virus at work? Is ALS due to poor nutrition? A poison? But now, at this close of the Packard Center’s fourth year of operation, there’s no doubt that the target is taking shape. And though significant gaps remain, we’re filling them in more quickly than we thought possible. We have our strongest sense ever that understanding ALS and finding therapies are in reach. Now it’s just a matter of putting in the work.

Our 32 scientists from Johns Hopkins and leading institutions worldwide have shared materials and built on each others’ talents to make vital discoveries this year, as you’ll read. Until recently, most of our finds came from animal models of familial ALS—a rarer form triggered by a single inherited gene. But now we see our discoveries doing double duty, clarifying the more common sporadic form of the disease.

Moreover, our board of governors, our scientific advisory board, our fund-raising and administrative staff have the savvy and focus that comes from working together these several years. The board now stands at 21 voting members—capable leaders from this country’s professions and industry who, because of personal or other reasons, are dedicated to a cure. (See, for example, Chris Angell’s story.)

To speed results and save money, we continue to collaborate with others seeking the cure. This year, joint grants from the Center and the MDA, Project ALS and ALSA supported 10 of our scientists. And powerful collaborations with the NIH and universities are on the way.

We’ve truly advanced on the development front. When the Center was created, most funding came from three kind friends: The Robert Packard Foundation, the Kornfeld Foundation and the Baltimore Orioles. I’m proud that, in 2004, however, only 32 percent of our funding came from our start-up supporters. This year, we’ve seen our donor base swell to 892—good people who’ve helped us raise more than $2 million, exclusive of the generous Kornfeld Foundation gift.

Because we’ve reached the end of the Kornfeld Foundation’s sustaining $4 million pledge, we now must push even harder for Center support. But with your continued help, I know we can do it.

Four years ago, we began with a vision: to be at the center of ALS research, at the center of therapy to halt the disease and at the center in the search to reverse ALS’s damage. We can honestly say that vision’s a reality. This year, more than ever, we’re on center for a cure.

Sincerely,
Jeffrey D. Rothstein

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