Dear GSF Supporter:
2010 was no doubt an exciting year for the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation (GSF). And none of it would have been possible without your enthusiasm for our programs and your generous support of our cause. As you know, we started GSF in August 2009 to fight alongside Gwendolyn and, although it is named after our daughter, GSF has always been about more than one little girl's fight. At our core, we believe in the power of the individual — that each and every one of us has the potential to inspire, motivate, and effect real change by simply making the choice to get involved and make a difference. What started in 2009 has snowballed in 2010 and we continue to be humbled by the outpouring of support to build on this incredible momentum as we stay focused on contributing to ending SMA.
We've all accomplished so much together in 2010, but here are a few of the major highlights:
- Donations — We surpassed the $500,000 cumulative donation mark in just 15 months since our founding.
- Research — We have directed hundreds of thousands of dollars to the lab and in the immediate hands of researchers.
- Awareness — Our social media rooted awareness programs reached millions of people across the globe with SMA awareness messaging.
- Media — Over 15 SMA centered media pieces were done on GSF or our family in 2010, including an article in The New York Times and a vignette on NPR.
- Chase Community Giving — Our supporters voted GSF to the winner's circle of more than 500,000 nonprofits in the coveted Chase Community Giving campaign on Facebook. We placed 6th and were awarded $125,000.
- Samsung Helmet of Hope — GSF was selected by five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson for his “Helmet of Hope” campaign. The GSF logo graced Jimmie's helmet and GSF was awarded $30,000.
- Legislation — Our petition — PetitionToCureSMA.com — grew to nearly 100,000 signatures and continued driving critical support in Congress for this important SMA legislation.
We're extremely proud of what we've all accomplished in such a short period of time and there is much to be excited about. Researchers are attacking this cruel disease from every possible angle and great headway is being made on several fronts. And real momentum is building at every level and from every direction. But there is still much work to be done as SMA remains a terminal disease — continuing to take the lives of too many… much too soon.
Please help us continue this incredible momentum in 2011 by considering a tax deductible donation to the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation before the end of 2010. How? Simple. Just click here to donate online now.
Thank you so much for your continued support! Your efforts and belief in our mission push us to do more and fight harder — and together we are having a material impact on turning SMA from a terminal disease to a treatable one. Together we can end SMA, one person and one dollar at a time!
Wishing you a very warm holiday season and a happy, healthy new year!
All our best,
Bill and Victoria Strong
Gwendolyn Strong Foundation