Gwendolyn Strong Foundation - Blog

50 Girl Scouts. A Talent Showcase. $3,176 Raised. Incredible.

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:17 GMT

Last Friday, over 50 adorable Girl Scouts, from 3rd grade to 5th, joined together to create a Talent Showcase to raise money for the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation. These young girls bravely performed 27 different acts for a packed audience. Some sang solos, a few danced, one group hula hooped, another group used cups as drums, there was a talented piano player, and several came up with entire comedy skits -- all of them had the audience smiling and proud of what these young girls were doing to give back -- including Gwendolyn. And these awesome girls have truly made a difference, raising $3,176! Incredible. Thank you Washington Elementary Girl Scouts. You are awesome!!!

{Mother’s Day Giveaway}

Mon, 06 May 2013 13:04 GMT

{Mother's Day Giveaway} Mom's make up theGSF. And we love our supportive moms. Enter to win >>

Gwendolyn’s Self Awareness at the American Girl Place

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 16:18 GMT

Our little girl knew she wanted a doll with blondish-brownish hair and blue eyes, who wore a running suit and used a wheelchair. This is Gwendolyn. This is how she sees herself. And she is so confident about it all. To see an affirmation of her self awareness and her confidence within herself fills us with so much joy and so much pride. That Gwendolyn looks in the mirror and sees a little girl who loves to run races and who uses a wheelchair is simply awesome. To her, there is absolutely nothing about these two things that don't go together -- and that makes us very proud parents!

PROJECT MARIPOSA :: IPAD GRANTS #121-125

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 02:10 GMT

Today we are granting 5 Project Mariposa iPad grants. FIVE. This brings the total iPads granted through this initiative to 125! 125 lives changed, made easier, made more accessible. 125 individuals with Spinal Muscular Atrophy are now able to do things they previously struggled with or could not do at all. And it would not be possible without the generous support of individual donors and like-minded organizations. We are thrilled to introduce you to Project Mariposa grant recipients #121 - 125. Caleb, Joshua, Isabella, Ellyn, and Jaylah. They are amazing!

Announcing the Five Emerging Investigator Awards SMA Research Grantees

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 22:34 GMT

We are thrilled to announce the five -- YES, FIVE! -- incredible SMA research programs that were selected for the 2013 $250,000 "FightSMA and Gwendolyn Strong Foundation Emerging Investigator Awards" (EIA). Each of these researchers will receive an initial $25,000 grant for their impactful research program. And it doesn't end there! All five programs will submit their research progress in Summer 2013 and two of the five programs will be awarded an additional $62,500 in November 2013 to fund a year of their research!

Gals Give Back Raises $12,240

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 15:47 GMT

Six women. One night. $12,240 raised for Project Mariposa. That's 24 new iPads. 24 lives changed! Meet Gals Give Back!

Happy Easter. Happy Spring

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 17:34 GMT

Some "bunny" is enjoying spring and wants to wish you a "Hoppy Easter" . We know many parts of the world are still knee deep in snow but spring has arrived in Santa Barbara. And Miss Gwendolyn thinks it is great -- especially all the baby animals.

Allison Fonseca Photography Hosts Chicago Fundraiser

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:24 GMT

It never ceases to move us, amaze us, and lift our spirits to meet such kind and generous people in the world. People who go out of their way for the SMA cause -- regardless if this cruel disease impacts them personally. Allison Fonseca is one of those extraordinary people. And the Allison Fonseca Photography fundraiser in Chicago was a success!

Weekend with SMA Friends

Sun, 03 Mar 2013 20:31 GMT

This is SMA. And this is what love between two best friends looks like. Hayden and Gwendolyn were inseparable last weekend and had a blast hanging with SMA buddies: Miss Getty, Mr. Aaron, and Mr. Kaige! Click to read and see tons of pictures.

National Pediatric Research Network Act is Reintroduced in the Senate

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 03:38 GMT

In a major step forward for the advancement of clinical research for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and other pediatric disorders, the National Pediatric Research Network Act (NPRNA), was reintroduced today in the U.S. Senate. The legislation’s introduction comes just weeks after a bipartisan companion bill (H.R.225) passed the House of Representatives by an overwhelming margin.