2026 Impact Report – Letter from our Founder
June 22, 2026 Daniel L. Doctoroff
For a long time, ALS was something that haunted my family.
My father died from ALS in 2002. Years later, my uncle was diagnosed with the disease and passed as well. Through both experiences, I came to understand not only the devastation of ALS, but also the widespread belief that it was impossible to solve.
I have never accepted that.
ALS has taken a great deal from me personally. In the past year, I have lost my voice. I have lost the ability to eat most foods. My hands and arms have weakened, and my neck muscles have deteriorated. But I adapt. I use eye gaze technology to communicate. I use a feeding tube to eat. I can still control my wheelchair.
And despite everything, I remain optimistic.
My family gives me joy. This community gives me hope. Seeing so many people— researchers, donors, families, caregivers, and advocates—commit themselves to changing the future of ALS strengthens my resolve every single day
When we founded Target ALS, we did so because we believed the problem was not a lack of brilliant scientists or promising ideas. The problem was that the system was not designed to move fast enough. Researchers worked in silos. Data was not shared openly. Too many barriers stood between discovery and treatment.
So we chose a different path. A path rooted in collaboration, urgency, and action.
We believed that if you bring the best minds together, remove barriers, and create an environment where people can work collectively toward a shared goal, progress will accelerate.
And it has.
At this year’s Target ALS Annual Meeting, I could see real progress in ALS research. New discoveries are happening faster. Companies are entering the field with renewed urgency. Researchers are collaborating in ways that simply did not exist years ago. What once felt unimaginable now feels possible.
But science alone does not push movements forward. People do.
Every person involved in this mission matters. Some will donate. Others will participate in research studies. Some will advocate, raise awareness, tell stories, or bring new people into this community. Others will simply refuse to accept hopelessness.
All of that matters.
ALS continues to take so much from so many families. That is why urgency matters. It is why we push forward every day at Target ALS with determination, focus, and optimism about what lies ahead.
I believe we are closer than we have ever been to a world where Everyone Lives.
Thank you for believing in this mission and for helping make this progress possible.
With gratitude,
Dan Doctoroff
Founder and Chair, Target ALS
Related News
2026 Impact Report - Letter from the CEO
June 22, 2026
