December 16, 2009

Gwendolyn Strong Foundation Top 100 Charity, Wins $25,000 Grant From Chase Facebook Campaign

This is truly unbelievable, incredible!

Today, we received news from Chase that the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation was selected as one of the top 100 charities, based on YOUR votes, in their Chase Community Giving campaign on Facebook. Thus, GSF will receive a $25,000 grant from Chase and will advance to round 2 of the campaign with a chance to win as much as $1 Million.

We're still gathering information and to be honest it's still sinking in, but we wanted you all to know this amazing news right away since none of this would have been possible without each and every single one of your votes and your personal, passionate efforts to prop the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation up on your shoulders. This is another humbling example of how this vibrant, active SMA community and every person that this horrible disease touches can collectively accomplish anything that we put our minds to as one, united, motivated voice.

We are excited to be donating 100% of this grant to Dr. Hans Keirstead's promising SMA stem cell program at UC Irvine. As most of you know, this groundbreaking research has the potential to cure SMA and have a material, positive impact on all science forever. We know that this grant will help Dr. Keirstead and his team accelerate the process to get this treatment to human clinical trials as safely and efficiently as possible and to the children in need of a cure.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, thank you, thank you to each and every one of you. Now, on to ROUND 2! As a community, let's go get that $1 MILLION to help CURE SMA once and for all!

Click here to go to the Chase Community Giving campaign on Facebook to see the top 100 charities.

Click here to read the press release from Chase.


26 comments:

Sara said...

I am so happy! Congratulations! <3

Anonymous said...

This is wonderful! I was holding my breath while I skimmed through the list at Chase Giving... awesome! Good luck on round 2!


keadre

Legally Fabulous said...

YAY!!!! I am SO SO SO happy to hear that!

Samantha said...

Tears of joy are running down my face! I am just so, so excited for you guys. You amaze me!

Margaret said...

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!!

Heather said...

Amazing,amazing amazing!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow!!!!!! That is fantastic!!!

Tackdots said...

Bill and Victoria, we are ALL rewarded by this wonderful news.

You continue to prove that anything is possible.

We'll "follow the leader", wear our bracelets, make the computer take our vote(s), post the campaigns on Facebook, write the politicians, just tell us, WE ARE ON BOARD.

This is a fine Merry Christmas present, isn't it?

Congratulations on your accomplishments.

Cass said...

Freaking awesome! Woo hooooo! Way to go, you guys.

Lisa said...

YAHHHHHHHHH!! Incredible! What a great gift this holiday season! It couldn't have gone to a more deserving organization!
so happy for you!
Be well,
Lisa :)

thorney said...

WOW!!!! Congratulations--you two are the most amazing people/parents/all around awesome couple!! I am so happy for you and ready to get started collecting votes for Round 2 :)

--Mari

dg darling said...

Yeah!!!!! Nobody deserves it more!

Kristen said...

What great news! This is just fantastic!

Anonymous said...

I've been checking the computer all day for the results and couldn't believe my eyes when I found GSF among the winners! I did a little jig around the room.
Your tireless efforts are paying off! Merry Christmas to you all and let's get ready for round two!
-Meike

Cher said...

This is remarkable!!! You guys are awesome!

Devon said...

YAY! THAT IS AWESOME!!!!

Oh, the million is yours. I don't care if I have to paint it in the sky--we will get it. Round two beware.

Got your surprise today...thank you! We're going to save it for Christmas. Can't wait!!!!!

Auntie Weez said...

O M G!! I just can't believe it I got home from a lovely Xmas dinner out that my new neighbors invited me to @ of all places WHCC
and the lady remembered Lake Tanzey as she has been a memeber up there for over 50 Yrs She said 'a lot O golf balls landed in that lake' Then I get a 'heads up' e/mail from my good Buddy Julie aka Tackdots telling me we are in the TOP 100 of the Chase Community Giving.....this is too much for one 'OL Auntie to absorb in one enchanted evening I am so excited!! Chase Community Giving Hooooo!

Jose Antonio Fortuny said...

congratulations|||

Anonymous said...

That is so great! Congrats! Just in time for Christmas.

Anonymous said...

Great news! If anyone deserves it it's you guys, congrats.

Robin said...

That's amazing - congrats on all your hard work for kids with SMA everywhere.

Anonymous said...

What wonderful news!! I'll keep voting and spreading the word to others, too!!

Rebecca said...

This is SO EXCITING! This news just made my day. Sign me up to promote round 2 ;)

Clare said...

The most fantastic news -- so deserved for GSF and all the SMA community, just awesome!!! OK, Round 2 Bring It On!!!

Marilynn said...

This is incredible news...Congratulations! Now let's kick butt and get the $1 mil.

RaNae said...

YES!!!!!!!! I was SOOO excited to read that "we" are part of the 100 winners. AWESOME!