‘We never give up’: Les Turner ALS Foundation gala raises $620K

Posted April 15, 2025 1:17 pm

Submitted by Les Turner ALS Foundation

Jaynie Gobeli of Elburn, a member of the Les Turner ALS Support Services Committee, diagnosed with ALS in 2021, and her son Kevin Dispensa attended the Les Turner ALS Foundation’s Hope Through Caring Gala at the Raddison Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago April 5. Courtesy of Eddie Quinones

The Les Turner ALS Foundation’s 2025 Hoping Through Caring Gala raised more than $620,000 at the annual fundraising event held April 5 at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago.

The funds provide comprehensive care and support to people living with ALS, their caregivers and their families.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a disease that weakens the muscles we use to move, swallow and breathe. The effects of ALS grow more severe over time and eventually become fatal. People living with ALS across Illinois and the Midwest come to the Les Turner ALS Center and Lois Insolia ALS Clinic at Northwestern Medicine to receive world-class clinical care, access to clinical trials, and hope through scientific research.

More than 400 guests heard from Aaron Lazar, a nationally celebrated TV, film actor and Broadway star with credits including a Grammy nomination, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2022. Lazar brings a message of hope as he embraces the power of song to help others know that, “we all have the power within us to make the impossible, possible.” His 2025 Grammy-nominated debut album, Impossible Dream, features the title track “The Impossible Dream,” which has become an anthem for Lazar while on his healing journey. Lazar donates a portion of proceeds from the album to help benefit research development and advocacy efforts for ALS.

“This year’s gala was especially poignant. Together, we held space for the lives we've lost, even as we looked ahead with hope,” he said. “We were reminded that donations to the Les Turner ALS Foundation help us search for a cure. And that human connection — through support groups, shared moments, and this very community — is how people begin to heal. Thank you for making both possible.”

The Harvey and Bonny Gaffen Advancements in ALS Award was given to Jean Swidler, left, and Mindy Uhrlaub, founding members of End of the Legacy, a group dedicated to the needs of the Genetic ALS and FTD community. Courtesy of Les Turner ALS Foundation

The Harvey and Bonny Gaffen Advancements in ALS Award was given to Jean Swidler and Mindy Uhrlaub, founding members of End of the Legacy, a group dedicated to the needs of the Genetic ALS & FTD community. The Les Turner ALS Center at Northwestern Medicine, a medical research entity, was instrumental in discovering the first genetic mutation linked to cause ALS. This led to the FDA approving a specific treatment for those who suffer from this mutation. Harvey and Bonny Gaffen were co-founders of the Les Turner ALS Foundation in 1977, along with Les Turner’s wife, Ina, and other members of his family and friends.

The Hope Through Caring Award was presented posthumously to Brian Davis and his surviving wife Katy McNeil of Hinsdale for their extraordinary commitment to raising awareness and supporting ALS care and research. Davis, who died in January, was diagnosed with ALS at age 36. Courtesy of Les Turner ALS Foundation

The Hope Through Caring Award was presented posthumously to Brian Davis who had ALS and his surviving wife Katy McNeil for their extraordinary commitment to raising awareness and supporting ALS care and research. Brian, who lost his battle with ALS in January 2025, was diagnosed with ALS at age 36 while his wife Katy was pregnant with their second child. Brian and Katy met while attending the University of Michigan Law School, and they were both practicing lawyers when the diagnosis was made. Katy is a partner at the international law firm, Mayer Brown, one of the area’s most prominent firms.

Additionally, Kenneth Trent of Pingree Grove, who is living with ALS, was highlighted via a special video presentation. Ken, diagnosed in 2021, explains how he and his wife of 21 years, Debbie, are going through this journey together. Ken has connected with a Les Turner ALS Foundation counselor, attended support groups and has found it helpful to talk with others living with the disease. The Les Turner ALS Foundation awarded a grant for the ramp to be installed in the front of the Trent home, something that quickly became a necessity to assist Ken in and out of the house. Their athletic high school daughters, Madison and Morgan, also receive support from the Hampshire High School basketball team as the team added a blue ribbon to their jerseys and held a special event raising awareness and funds for ALS while honoring Ken Trent earlier this year.

“We are a family that sticks together, we never back down and never give up,” Debbie Trent said.

The symptoms and progression of ALS may vary greatly from person to person, which can make the disease difficult to diagnose, manage, and treat. There is no cure for ALS yet. But the pace of research has significantly increased in recent years, and organizations like the Les Turner ALS Foundation are ready to provide help and support to people living with ALS, caregivers, and everyone affected by the disease. Donations to the Les Turner ALS Foundation, no matter how small, can help make a difference.

For information or to make a donation, visit lesturnerals.org.

Harvey and Bonny Gaffen of Highland Park are the co-founders Les Turner ALS Foundation. Their brother-in-law Les Turner, the foundation’s namesake, was diagnosed with ALS at age 36. Courtesy of Eddie Quinones

Laura Frevelleti, CEO of the Les Turner ALS Foundation, is shown with board member Ken Hoffman of Deerfield and his wife Melissa at the foundation’s Hope Through Caring Gala, held at the Raddison Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago on April 5. Courtesy of Les Turner ALS Foundation

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