The ALS Therapy Alliance - Researching a Cure
Follow our journey as we blog about the leading-edge research the ALS Therapy Alliance and its partners is conducting. Meet our campaign spokespeople and learn more about how their families are living with the disease and remaining hopeful that a cure will be found. We welcome your comments and feedback!
Laura Speir has found an innovative, tech-savvy, 21st-century way to fundraise for ALS research.The creative college freshman has decided to raise money through a Twitter campaign, pledging to “tweet” 50,000 times by the end of 2011. She’s hoping to increase her Twitter followers over the course of the year, and is encouraging them to donate to this important cause.
Laura was inspired to become an ALS advocate after her best friend, Haley Stevens, passed away from the disease at age 17. She’s fundraising in Haley’s memory, and raising money for the ALS Association’s Keith Worthington Chapter, her local chapter in Springfield, MO. Her goal is to raise $5,000 through her year-long Twitter initiative.
By the end of February, Laura has already “tweeted” 7,500 messages: about ALS, her friend Haley and other “general stuff.” So far, she has about 260 followers from around the world, and hopes that number will continue to grow as more people learn about her heartfelt campaign.
While many teens turn to bake sales and car washes as fundraising options, last year, Laura learned about another impassioned fundraiser “tweeting” to raise money for cancer research. She thought that was a great idea – and since she “loves Twitter,” she decided to launch a similar campaign, using this popular social networking tool to raise funds – and awareness – for ALS.
Currently a freshman at a community college in Springfield, Laura has fond memories of her friend, Haley.
"We met in Kindergarten and became best friends in middle school", said Laura. "I was devastated when Haley started showing signs of ALS in ninth grade and was diagnosed with the disease when she was 16 years old.She passed away on September 3, 2009."
Laura is getting support from people in both the “real world” and the “virtual world,” with followers and fans from around the globe.
She’s promoting her efforts – and Haley’s story – through social marketing channels, including blog posts and, of course, through Twitter.
In addition, she’s participating in local ALS walks to raise additional funds for ALS research.
For more information on Laura's campaign, please visit her WEBSITE. Be sure to also follow her on Twitter and visit the Springfield High School website to learn more about The Haley Stevens Story.
