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Community Corner

New Executive Director - ALS Association

The ALS Association – DC/MD/VA Chapter announced today that Judy Taylor has been named as Executive Director, effective immediately. Taylor previously served the Chapter as Interim Executive Director and its Chief Development Officer.

“In her time at the Chapter, Judy has proven herself a capable leader, a terrific fundraiser and a compassionate person dedicated to the fight against this devastating disease,” said Board of Directors President Judith Bailey.  “Judy believes our Chapter can greatly expand its services to reach those patients suffering from ALS and their caregivers who reside in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Her energy and enthusiasm are infectious, inspiring, and seemingly unbounded.  We are excited about her leadership.”

The ALS Association – DC/MD/VA Chapter provides free services and support to over 560 patients within the region. These services include assistive technology devices, social worker visits, medical equipment loan closets, transportation grants, respite care grants and many more.  All of the Chapter’s services are provided free of charge to the families through fundraising, donations and workplace giving designations.
 
As Executive Director, Judy will work closely with care services personnel to expand the Chapter’s services to people living with ALS and continue the development initiatives that she has put into place to underwrite those services and contribute funds toward cutting-edge research to find a cure for ALS.  As the principal officer of the Chapter, Judy will oversee all operations and personnel. 

 

"Our Chapter has a truly dedicated and superior staff," said Judy Taylor, "I am honored to have this opportunity to work alongside them and support ALS patients and their families as they battle this awful disease."

Prior to joining The ALS Association, Judy was the Regional Director of Development for Foundation Fighting Blindness in Columbia, MD.  There she solicited annual donations of $2.2 million, led a team that raised nearly $4.5 million and was a leader in the development of FFB’s “Dining in the Dark” and “Vision Walk” fundraisers.  Judy also spent many years as the Director of Development for the AIDS Taskforce in Cleveland, Ohio. 
  
ALS is a progressive neuromuscular disease that occurs when motor nerve cells cease to function and die. There are 30,000 people living with ALS in the United States at any one time. Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS and every 90 minutes someone passes away from ALS.  People living with ALS (PALS) lose voluntary muscle control, often resulting in total paralysis and the inability to speak. In most cases, a person’s mind remains sharp and alert. The average life expectancy for PALS is two to five years after diagnosis. There is currently no known cause, cure or means of prevention.

The mission of The ALS Association is to improve the quality of life for PALS while raising public awareness and support for finding a cure. The DC/MD/VA Chapter is based in Rockville, MD with an office in Richmond, VA and serves PALS in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.

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Contact: Alex Swope, ASwope@ALSinfo.org, 301-978-9855 x 213

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