On August 11th over 40 CEOs and business executives joined forces to raise an outstanding $273,000 (and counting!) for those living with ALS in western PA at this year’s CEO Soak, emceed by Bill Flanagan, community leader and host of the WPXI-TV program, “Our Region’s Business.”

2022 CEO Soak / PPG Fountain

Over the past few months, CEOs in the local business community rallied their colleagues to raise funds for our ALS community in anticipation for Thursday’s event. This included executives from presenting sponsor Hefren-Tillotson, A Baird Company, Oxford Development Company, and premier sponsor, Philips Respironics. In addition, some new faces joined the charge, including representatives from Maxim Healthcare, MGM Contracting, and Henderson Construction Fabrics.

Thank you to all who participated and fundraised for this year’s ALS CEO Soak. Our Chapter is overwhelmed by the outpouring of support, dedication, and generosity.

All funds raised by the CEO Soak provide help and hope for those living with ALS in western Pennsylvania by supporting patient care, advocacy, and cutting-edge research to find treatments and a cure for this debilitating, always fatal disease. In the 6 years since its inception, the CEO Soak has raised over $835,000 in western PA.

Donate

Highlights

Guest Speaker, David Flaugh gave a powerful speech thanking donors and soakees for their support of our ALS community.

Last month, Exchange Underwriters won a Make More Happen Award in recognition of their work with us, which came with an initial $5k donation. Thanks to them, and all your votes on our Make More Happen story, our donation doubled to $10K! Safeco Insurance and Exchange Underwriters presented the check during the pre-event reception.

Community leader and philanthropist, Anne Lewis, was presented with the Sarah W. Wood Advocate of the Year Award for her remarkable commitment to our ALS community that began when her stepson was diagnosed in 1999. For many years since, Anne has done work both in Harrisburg and DC to continue the state advocacy funding that supports both our Chapter and the Greater Philadelphia Chapter. Our Chapter is one of the few that is fortunate enough to receive state funding, and that is all because of Anne’s grassroot efforts.

For Platinum Sponsor, Philips Respironics, this year’s CEO Soak is special. The company joined the event in 2021 in support of friend and former colleague, Fred Abercrombie, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2019. As his disease progressed, ALS made Fred dependent on medical devices to assist his speech and aid in his breathing, including the Philips Respironics trilogy ventilator, which Fred himself helped to design and create. Unfortunately, Fred lost his battle with ALS in 2021.

“He was our colleague. He was a warrior, a believer, and a champion in the fight against ALS.   Now, it is up to us to carry on his fight for the 5,000 new cases that are diagnosed every single year.”
Philips National Business Leader, Eline de Graaf

To contribute in honor of Fred, please visit the  Philips Team Page.

Special thank you to event founder, Mike Daniels, for his countless hours of hard work to make this year’s CEO Soak a huge success!

Top Fundraiser

Matt Henderson, Henderson Construction Fabrics and family

Top Fundraiser

Matt Henderson, Henderson Construction Fabrics

The Top Fundraiser for this year’s event went to newcomer, Matthew Henderson. Matt is the President of Henderson Construction Fabrics, the lead paving fabrics installer and distributor in Pennsylvania. After Matt’s diagnosis with ALS in November of last year, his community and network came out in full force to support him, which is evident by the over $28,000 he raised in just 2 weeks. Congratulations to our ALS hero, Matt Henderson, and his family on being the new Top Fundraiser of the ALS CEO Soak!