A Night of Inspiration: 2026 Champions for Cures and Care

The 2026 Champions for Cures and Care gala was an inspirational night recognizing the power and commitment of the ALS community. The event, hosted at the Pasadena Convention Center, celebrated a year of impact in ALS care, advocacy, and research. 

Attendees enjoyed a dynamic program of purpose and momentum emceed by CNN anchor Elex Michaelson. Guests savored cocktails, bid on amazing silent and live auction packages hosted by Chuck Dukas, enjoyed a gourmet dinner along with celebrity guests, and heard the musical stylings of Carlos Calvo and Friends. The program also included the presentation of the ALS Network’s highest honors, the Essey Awards, named after one of the organization’s founding board members, Richard (Dick) Essey.

The members of the ALS Network’s Community Research Committee (CRC) were recognized with the 2026 Essey Commitment to Cures Award for their profound impact on the ALS Network’s robust and expanding research agenda. We are deeply grateful for their contributions and are proud to work alongside these dedicated volunteers in this important effort to cure ALS together. Watch a video about the CRC below.

Acclaimed actor, Eric Dane, was presented with the Dean and Kathleen Rasmussen Advocate of the Year Award, ​​recognizing his extraordinary commitment to raising awareness and support for people living with ALS. The award was presented by Grammy-nominated singer and actor, Aaron Lazar, who is also living with ALS. Dane was diagnosed with ALS in 2025, and has since used his public platform to amplify the voices of those affected by ALS and champion efforts to advance research, care, and community support. Through his advocacy, Dane has helped bring international attention to the urgent need for resources and funding, inspiring others to join the fight against this devastating disease.

To honor our past as we define our future, the ALS Network also announced the establishment of the C. Dean Rasmussen Legacy Society and the Fred Fisher Excellence in Research Award.

The Legacy Society recognizes individuals who choose to make a lasting difference by including the ALS Network in their estate plans. Their foresight and generosity fuel our mission priorities — advancing advocacy, accelerating research, and ensuring care and support for the ALS community.

The Fred Fisher Excellence in Research Award is a new $25,000 annual award honoring the extraordinary legacy of Fred Fisher and his transformative leadership within the ALS community. It was presented to Jone López-Erauskin, PhD of UC San Diego, as the inaugural recipient. Dr. López-Erauskin exemplifies the spirit of this honor through exceptional scientific rigor, creativity, and a deep commitment to advancing ALS research while engaging meaningfully with the ALS community.

The 2026 Champions for Cures and Care Planning Committee for the Pasadena event included Lorraine Barth, Jessica Carlson, Linda Della, Jared Gill, Theresa Kolish, Nina Mattera and Karen Sutton. 

Thank you to everyone who joined us in person and on our livestream for this year’s Champions event! To view more photos, please visit our Flickr album or view the event programming from our livestream. To make a gift in support of the mission and vision of the ALS Network, please visit www.ALSChampions.org.