Correction: A previous article misspelled the names ‘Stephens’ and ‘Garfinkel’

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — The San Francisco Women Artists Gallery is collaborating with the ALS Association Golden West Chapter to raise awareness about the disease throughout May.

May is celebrated as ALS awareness month. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a fatal condition that affects parts of the nervous system. Most patients with the disease are expected to live two to five years after their diagnosis. 

The gallery is hosting a month-long exhibit titled, ‘Hope Lives: Art for ALS’. The inspiration came from gallery member, Melissa Stephens, whose sister was recently diagnosed with ALS. Stephens wanted to help her sister despite living states away from her.

In response, the Womens’ Gallery created the exhibit to raise awareness of ALS and fundraise for ALS research, care, and advocacy.

The opening reception took place Saturday afternoon from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The last day of the exhibit will be May 27.

“We hope it’ll bring attention to ALS in the community,” Pam Borrelli, the SFWA president said. “It’ll bring attention to our gallery to support women artists.”

SFWA is working alongside the ALS Association Golden West Chapter throughout the month. The Golden West Chapter an organization that fundraises and raises awareness on behalf of the ALS community. They work with 31 counties throughout California and the entire state of Hawaii.

The Golden West Chapter is the only organization that’s fighting ALS on three fronts; research, care, and advocacy,” Golden West’s Vice President of Community Outreach Asher Garfinkel said. “All three of these are interdependent finding treatments and cures for ALS.”

The gallery plans on raffling Stephens’ art at the event. Different events will take place throughout the month. All of the participating artists are donating 35-100% of their sales. Lloyd David from Corner 103 wines will be donating 20% of his wine sales.

A live streaming Zoom conference will also be held for the event. More information on the gallery’s event can be found here.

“The focus of the exhibition is to inspire awareness, hope, and action for ALS using the power of art,” Garfinkel said.