The ALS Research Program is grateful for your support to do the important work of figuring out ways to effectively treat ALS and related diseases. Philanthropic support allows us to conduct pilot trials, gather pilot data, and explore ideas that haven't been tested yet. It is a crucial pillar of our research program.
We are thankful to those who have supported our work:
ALS Center of Excellence Fund
Supports the M Health Fairview ALS Certified Treatment Center of Excellence.
ALS Lou Gehrig Disease Fund
Supports ALS research, education and patient services.
Margaret Sanford ALS Research and Care Fund
Supports ALS research and patient services.
Peggy (Hurley) Rich ALS Research Memorial Fund
This fund supports ALS research.
The Curt O'Hagan ALS, PLS and Related Disorders Research Fund
This fund helps advance research on ALS, PLS, and related diseases in the Department of Neurology at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
Curt was diagnosed and lived with Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS), a rare form of ALS, for 20 years, but actually died from pancreatic cancer, yet he never let these diagnoses interrupt his zest for life.
Curt attended West Virginia Wesleyan receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Business prior to obtaining his Master’s degree in Industrial Relations from the University of West Virginia. For 32 years, Curt worked as a salesman for Dow Chemical Company, retiring in 1999. His future employment included driving an eighteen wheeler, “Golf Cart Ambassador” at Crystal Lake Golf Club and “Senior Packaging Engineer” at Byerly’s Grocery Store - as you can see he maintained his silly sense of humor.
Curt’s smile and laughter were contagious to everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him. Curt gave his all to everything he attempted. Even when his body began to fail, his soul was always present and smiling. He enjoyed being active and played many sports. He even attempted and conquered writing his 300 page memoir, “Living Life to the Fullest” over the span of 10 years.
Curt was grateful for the two astounding neurologists at the University of Minnesota for their help during these challenging times. Dr. Parry quickly diagnosed Curt with PLS and upon his retirement, Dr. Walk became Curt’s caring neurologist. Curt was grateful for all the compassionate help he received.
For ten years, Crystal Lake Golf Club in Minnesota, sponsored The Curt O’Hagan Golf Classic, compiling over $200,000 in donations towards the Curt O’Hagan ALS/PLS & Related Disorders Research Fund at the University of Minnesota. Curt’s legacy continues through further donations and he always hoped his decision to donate his body would help discover a cause and cure for ALS/PLS.
His family, loving wife and partner, Gwen, daughter Jill, son Christopher, daughter-in-law, Meg, and grandsons, Finn and Rory, miss him so much, but are incredibly proud of how he persevered through it all with courage, strength and always a smile.