Foundation

MISSION STATEMENT

The Foundation is a collaborative of urban artists who recognize their ability to enhance the life of others.  Through the use of art, they have chosen to identify resources, bring attention to, and assist with the needs of Lou Gehrig’s disease patients (aka, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) as well as patients suffering from other deteriorating neurological diseases.

SERVICES

ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease is one of several neurological degenerative diseases that enters the human body and rapidly progresses throughout all systems.  In some cases, the brain loses its ability to control all muscles, resulting in the progressive inability to physically move about or function various parts of the body.  The disease may or may not have a known causal factor and may not even have a medical cure.  Often the disease is fatal within a period of time.  Assistance, relief, and comfort is all relative dependent on the symptoms, progress of the disease, and therapies provided.

The strategic intent of the foundation, both immediate and long-term, is to provide support services to patients suffering from these diseases. The emphasis of the foundation’s activities will center on fundraising.  Once sufficient funds had been raised, the foundation can begin to offer fundamental services to patients and families. These patients can be identified by contacts with social workers in convalescent facilities or by referral.

Fundraising by the foundation can entail a number of avenues:  event art sales, online art sales, banquet ticket sales, individual and corporate donations, etc.

A “Review Committee” consisting of the foundation’s director, deputy director, and members of the Advisory Board will review requests for services or recommend patients that may need services.  Patients applying for services must have received a diagnosis for their disease from a certified physician.  The diagnosis must be documented and medical documents submitted as evidence along with a request identifying how the foundation could best provide assistance.  The request must be specific rather than general so that the Review Committee can determine whether the request can be met.

Criterion for the dissimination of services by the foundation will entail the availability of foundation funding and criticality of need by the patient. Payment for agreed-upon services for patients will be paid directly by the foundation to independent third party contractors.

Services can include the funding of: communication device systems,  adaptive equipment, caregiver or health aide services, nursing services, physical, speech, massage, nutrition, or other therapies; computer equipment, entertainment equipment, transportation services, medications or herbal supplements.

ADVISORY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• Steven Quan, Director
• Ron Quan, Deputy director
• Brian Nosaka, Assistant Director, Finance
• Liz Morin, Art Advisor, City of LA, Dept. of Cultural Affairs
• Mick Ebeling, CEO, the Ebeling Group
• Slick, Artist
• Alex Kisu, Artist
• Rick One, Artist
• Carlos Marquez, Artist
• Galo, Artist
• Relic, Artist