June 24, 2025

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

Listen to the Story

Recently, NPR’s Sandy Hausman interviewed Peggy about Jim’s legacy and the Hummingbird Fund.

“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 wife kept working to promote research and support for other ALS patients and their families.”

The Battle for ALS Research Funding

When a promising early-career scientist lost crucial support, the fight against ALS took a huge hit.

“We’re all just looking at each other going, ‘What the hell just happened?’ and it’s slowly sinking in,” says Harvard’s David Sinclair, whose lab lost both a $1.5M NIH grant and Kelly Rich’s $438K career training award—funding vital to the fight against ALS research.

Why this matters for our community

Even cutting-edge ALS research is at risk when funding is unstable.
Early-career scientists like Kelly Rich may pivot or leave academia, slowing breakthroughs.
Your spotlight and support can make a difference—share this story to raise awareness.

Click the link to read more—and consider sharing this story to help safeguard the future of ALS research.

Read the full story on the Harvard Gazette

LemonAID for ALS

Join the LemonAID for ALS Challenge This Summer!

Turn lemons into love — one cup at a time.

Hey kids, parents, grandparents, and friends — looking for a fun and meaningful way to spend time together this summer? Join us in making a difference for ALS research by starting your very own lemonade stand!

With major funding cuts impacting ALS research, we’re rallying the community to take a sweet stand for hope. Whether you’re on your driveway, at a local park, or part of a neighborhood yard sale — every cup of lemonade helps raise awareness and support for this urgent cause.

Here’s how to get involved:

Set up a lemonade stand in your community
Donate proceeds to support ALS research
Send us a photo of your stand or tag @hummingbirdfund on social media
You’ll be entered into our end-of-summer raffle for some awesome prizes!

Because when life gives us lemons, we pour hope.

Challenge dates: 6/22 – 8/22

Submit your Photos Today!

Evening Under the Stars Re-Cap

Thank you to everyone who attended our fundraising dinner last month! We shared a beautiful night together thanks to Michael Shaps.

All proceeds benefited the Hummingbird Fund in support of ALS Research. Together, we can continue to support research and end ALS!

Donate

The Hummingbird Fund is part of the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation. If you would like to make a gift to the Hummingbird Fund, donate online HERE or mail a check to The Hummingbird Fund, c/o CACF, PO Box 1767, Charlottesville VA 22902. Email questions to thehummingbirdfund@gmail.com.

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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...