Atlanta gala raises millions in the fight against ALS

The InterContinental Buckhead Hotel was filled with a powerful sense of purpose on Saturday, March 14, 2026, as the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) hosted its 19th Annual Night of Hope Gala. The event, which has raised over $13 million since its inception in 2006, serves as one of the nation’s premier fundraisers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research and clinical care. This year’s gala was particularly poignant as it honored local advocate Justin Upchurch with the Steve Ennis Hope Award, recognizing his tireless commitment to the ALS community since his diagnosis in 2020.