Today, we mark two years since our beloved Jim passed away. Our Plews-Ogan family, including Rowan and baby Phoebe, Erin and Hal, and Will and Monika, are gathering for the weekend as we will every year. This year, we’re in Minneapolis. The time together has given us...
Peggy & Will
In a Milestone for A.L.S., a Treatment Helps Some Patients Improve
The drug is for a small subset of patients. But evidence that breathing and strength can get better for some of them is remarkable for a paralyzing, usually fatal disease. Amanda Sifford of Cape Coral, Fla., had been declining rapidly from A.L.S. before she began...
Welcome Hummingbird Season with Purpose
March 7 | Wild Birds Unlimited Charlottesville On Saturday, March 7, we invite you to join us at Wild Birds Unlimited Charlottesville for a special community fundraising day benefiting The Hummingbird Fund. 50% of the day’s store profits will be donated to support ALS...
January | Hopefulness: “Read The Books”
In the first year of Jim living with ALS, Peggy suggested that we record his voice reading children’s books aloud while he still had his voice. Like many families living early on with ALS, we delayed voice-banking. Voice-banking is one of many efforts in ALS land that...
Small Acts Echo
Some days were “cold-start” days. When the sun rose or before, my mom would lift my dad’s head off the pillow, fold each leg upward with a hand under each knee, and pivot his torso towards the edge of the bed. I would—on visits back to Charlottesville from New York...
Remembering Jim
This week, on July 3, marks one year since Jim died. The Plews-Ogan family, including Rowan, Erin’s and Will’s spouses—Hal and Monika—and Monika’s sister Shallu, will be gathering for the week together. One of the ways we will be remembering Jim/Dad/Granddad is by...
Newsletter June 2025
Thank you for supporting The Hummingbird Fund! We are honored to serve as an accelerator for innovation in ALS research, advocacy, and overall functional support, via stable and sustainable partnerships that are patient-centric and kind. Hummingbird Fund in the News...
Virginia remembers a beloved pediatrician who used his own illness to raise public awareness
NPR's Sandy Hausman interviews Peggy regarding Jim's legacy. It’s been nearly a year since Charlottesville lost one of its most respected pediatricians. At 65, he was diagnosed with a fatal neurological disease and died three years later. But in that time, he and his...
CODA
Before Jim died, he wanted to write about each of the components of the ALS-Turbocharged Living Tool. He never got to finish that work. Jim was an accomplisher. He did not like unfinished tasks. So, it has been bothering me. Like seeds left unplanted, or a dangling...
#Go50forALS Challenge and Stitching Strength…This Week!
Join the #Go50forALS Movement The 2025 #Go50forALS movement challenge launches officially TOMORROW, April 13. We are so excited to get moving and raise awareness about advancing innovation in ALS research, advocacy, and support! What is your #Go50forALS goal? Join us...
Featured Post
Remembering Jim
Today, we mark two years since our beloved Jim passed away. Our Plews-Ogan family, including Rowan and baby Phoebe, Erin and Hal, and Will and Monika, are gathering for the weekend as we will every year. This year, we’re in Minneapolis. The time together has given us...