5180 NW 101 Place

Doral, Florida 33178

December 3rd, 2014
Steven M. Derks
President and CEO of
The MDA Organization
222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1500
Chicago, Illinois 60606222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1500
Chicago, Illinois 60606222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1500
Dear Steven M. Derks,
I want to start this letter by congratulating you for the splendid work you have
done throughout the years, helping patients fight against muscle diseases, like ALS. You
have dedicated your time and life to raise awareness and have made such a worthwhile
difference for the people affected by ALS. Your foundation has successfully drawn
attention to this disease, which has been hidden from the public for so long. Your efforts
have inspired many patients who have been diagnosed with ALS to fight and have faith
in finding a cure.
My name is Daniela Gonzalez; I am a 16-year old sophomore who is currently
attending Doral Academy Charter High. I am currently enrolled in the scholars program,
and Im currently taking ENC1101. I selected ALS or Lou Gehrigs disease, as my
semester topic because I agree with your ideals; this complex disease needs attention
drawn to it, but also these people who are diagnosed and their families really need the
support your foundation has been providing for years.
I wasnt aware ALS existed until recently when the ice bucket challenge
phenomenon blew up. Pete Frates story inspired me greatly. He also stressed the fact that
ALS does not receive much attention in the world. This disease affects many lives every
year. Nonetheless, much research has been done and possible medicines are being used in
the present day to slow down the degeneration of the neuron cells. Imagine if more
people could be helped by the different foundations that support this cause; your
organization has dedicated their time to help thousands of people. However, ALS attacks
more than 5,000 people a year and that is only an estimate of people in the United States.
In addition, most of the money that has been collected in the different events
should be invested in new treatments, like stem cells, or use technology to find
alternatives to the drugs that are being used right now like Rubitek. On the other hand,
the families of the people with Lou Gehrigs also need support. They deal with this
disease every day of the week, 365 days a year. This foundation, and many other
organizations that work to better the lives of their patients need to find alternative
mediums to spread the word. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. We all need to tell the
world about ALS, and keep working until a cure and better treatment is found.

These are my thoughts on this disease, your organization has truly inspired me to
fight even harder for these patients, I love what your organization has done for not only
the United States but for the people who are affected by the disease. You should be proud
of how far your organization has come, and how it has shaped many lives up to this day.
Your work truly emboldens fighters, and their families and communities all over the
world.

Sincerely,

Daniela Gonzalez

60606
Der222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1500
Chicago, Illinois 60