12th Annual Tradition of Hope Gala Showcased the Access Hollywood/NBC Anchor’s Decade-Long Commitment to Raise Awareness and Funds to Create a Future without ALS
Orange County, Oct. 30, 2017 – Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS hosted its 12th annual Tradition of Hope Gala over the weekend at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, celebrating its many donors dedicated to funding cutting edge research for effective treatments and an ultimate cure for ALS. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement and is often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Core to the evening’s event, the nonprofit awarded two national advocates and leaders with its most prestigious honors. First, presenting Matthew Stewart, Co-Founder and CEO of National Services Group with the Augie’s Quest Founder’s Award and then, awarding Natalie Morales, Access Hollywood Co-host and NBC’s West Coast anchor, its Augie’s Quest Champion for ALS Award. Masters of Ceremonies Jann Carl and Musical Host David Foster also joined Augie’s Quest to help celebrate and entertain the 400 attendees, who raised an incredible $1,092,217 for ALS research during the special evening.
“Augie’s Quest has been so lucky to have a power house like Natalie Morales in our corner, sharing our story whenever she can, emphasizing the importance of innovative research and essential funding, and championing our cause to end ALS,” said Augie Nieto, Chief Inspiration Officer and Co-Founder, Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS and Chairman, ALS Therapy Development Institute. “Her passion, dedication and unique voice are paying off, as is the commitment of so many others in our Augie’s Quest family – as we know ALS it isn’t an incurable disease, it is only underfunded. And we’re making great progress in taking on ALS thanks to people like Natalie and Matt, our very special honorees this year!”
“I want to echo a mantra I’ve heard over the years here — they may call ALS Lou Gehrig’s Disease, but I’m sure we’ll soon call it Augie Nieto’s Cure,” added Natalie Morales during her remarks accepting the Augie’s Quest Champion for ALS award.
