About Us
Our mission is to empower people living with neuromuscular diseases to live longer, more independent lives.
Dan Doctoroff, Dr. Michael Benatar, Dorothy Deutsch & Christine Pendergast to be Honored at the 25th Annual MDA Wings Over Wall Street Gala to Drive Research for a Cure for ALS, June 25 in New York City
Silver Anniversary Gala to Benefit ALS Research
NEW YORK – Tuesday, April 22, 2025 – The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) will celebrate a milestone 25th anniversary of its Wings Over Wall Street Gala on Thursday, June 25, at The Edison Ballroom in the heart of Times Square, New York City. The evening will feature a cocktail reception at 6:00pm followed by dinner and an awards program from 7:30–9:30pm. As one of the premier fundraising events in the nation for scientific and clinical research to find treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, aka Lou Gehrig’s disease), this special anniversary celebration will raise critical funds to support MDA’s ALS research initiatives, including locally at the Eleanor and Lou Gehrig ALS Center at Columbia University Medical Center and The Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Tickets and sponsorships for the 2025 Wings Over Wall Street Gala are available here. Those unable to attend can show their support by donating here.
Returning as host for this silver anniversary is ABC Eyewitness News Anchor Bill Ritter, a longtime supporter and champion for the cause. In honor of 25 years of impact, this year’s gala will recognize individuals whose leadership and contributions have accelerated the path toward treatments and a cure.
2025 Honorees
Spirit Award: Dan Doctoroff, founder of Target ALS, is honored for his transformative leadership in ALS research and advocacy. Following the loss of his father and uncle to ALS—and his own diagnosis in 2021—Doctoroff launched Target ALS in 2013 to accelerate collaboration and innovation. Under his direction, the organization has raised over $350 million for ALS research, uniting academia and industry. A former Deputy Mayor of New York City under Mayor Bloomberg, Doctoroff is recognized for his commitment to ending ALS through awareness, funding, and bold scientific progress.
“I won’t stop until I can’t anymore. I’m dedicating my life to battling this disease,” said Dan Doctoroff, founder of Target ALS. “This award is a reflection of the collective work of our partners and the incredible people living with ALS who inspire action every day.”
Diamond Award: Dr. Michael Benatar, Professor of Neurology at the University of Miami and Principal Investigator of the Pre-fALS study and the CReATe Consortium, is recognized for pioneering work in ALS prevention and biomarker development. His research has redefined early intervention strategies and advanced a new paradigm in ALS focused on presymptomatic detection and even the possibility of disease prevention. Named in honor of Toni Diamond, who co-founded Wings, this award honors a scientific leader driving progress toward the eradication of ALS.
“Dr. Benatar’s work in ALS early treatment is helping to redefine what’s possible in neurodegenerative disease research,” said Sharon Hesterlee, PhD, Chief Research Officer, MDA. “We are proud to honor him during this momentous occasion for MDA and the entire ALS community.”
Beier Award: Dorothy Deutsch and Christine Pendergast have been recognized for their extraordinary commitment to ALS advocacy, born from deeply personal experiences. Both women lost their husbands—David and Christopher—to ALS. They channeled their grief into action, becoming pillars of strength and hope for the ALS community. As beloved educators in the Northport, NY school district, David and Christopher inspired their students to join the fight against ALS. Their passion sparked the creation of A Midwinter Night’s Dream, a student-led fundraising campaign that raised significant funds and awareness including moments like a student shaving his head onstage with Billy Baldwin at the 4th Annual Wings event. Christine has also remained a key figure in the ALS Ride for Life, an annual wheelchair ride across Long Island, founded by her late husband Chris, that has raised over $10 million to date. The event supports critical ALS research, patient and caregiver services, and broader awareness initiatives. Their enduring impact reflects the spirit of the award, named for MDA Wings Over Wall Street co-chair the late Michael P. Beier.
“This year, we not only mark 25 years of fighting ALS but celebrate MDA’s 75 years of legacy and resilience,” said Warren J. Schiffer, Co-founder of MDA Wings Over Wall Street. “My family and so many others have lost loved ones to this disease. This night honors their memory and the powerful movement we’ve built together to end ALS.”
This year’s event coincides with MDA’s 75th Anniversary, celebrating the legacy of impact in the fight against ALS and over 300 neuromuscular diseases. Since the 1950s, when Eleanor Gehrig served as MDA’s ALS Campaign Chair, MDA has led the way in ALS research, care, and advocacy. Over $178 million has been invested in ALS research to drive scientific breakthroughs, and millions more for life-extending care, and advocacy. MDA supports multidisciplinary care at over 150 locations through the MDA Care Center Network, including 47 designated MDA/ALS Care Centers—the only nationwide network of its kind. Wings Over Wall Street carries that mission forward by uniting communities, corporate partners, and families to help end ALS. Learn more at MDA.org/EndALSwithMDA.
Committee Members and Event Sponsors
Wings Over Wall Street Committee Members:
Warren J. Schiffer, Sue Jaycox, Anjan Aralihalli, Tim Brooks, Jim Condron, Praneetha Desu, Brandon Hanna, A. Scott Horak, Lauren Horak, Danielle Jaycox, Morgan Jaycox, Grace Oakey, Jennifer Olson, Jamie Schiffer, Larry P. Schiffer, Neil A. Shneider, Kimberly Unger, Lisa Marie Utasi, Jenna Walsh, Matt Weinberg.
2025 Event Sponsors Include:
CITGO Petroleum Corporation, IEX, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, AEGIS, CBOE, Dan Doctoroff, USI Affinity, Raya Therapeutic, SL Green Realty
About MDA’s Wings Over Wall Street
Founded 25 years ago by families determined to end ALS, the Wings Over Wall Street Gala has raised over $13.2 million for cutting-edge research, groundbreaking therapies, and essential care. Read more about the history of the gala here, and explore coverage in MDA’s Quest Media here.
About Muscular Dystrophy Association
Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is the #1 voluntary health organization in the United States for people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and over 300 other neuromuscular conditions. For 75 years, MDA has led the way in accelerating research, advancing care, and advocating support and inclusion of families living with neuromuscular disease. MDA's mission is to empower the people we serve to live longer, more independent lives. To learn more visit mda.org and follow MDA on Instagram, Facebook, X, Threads, Bluesky, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
About Muscular Dystrophy Association’s 75th Anniversary
In 2025, the Muscular Dystrophy Association proudly marks 75 years legacy, impact and momentum in the fight against neuromuscular diseases. Since our founding, MDA has been at the forefront of research breakthroughs, providing access to comprehensive care, and championing the rights of people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and over 300 other neuromuscular diseases. This milestone has been made possible by generations of dedicated support from people living with neuromuscular disease, their families, researchers, clinicians, volunteers, and donors—who boldly drive our mission forward. As we look ahead, we remain committed to honoring this legacy, building on the impact we’ve made together, and continuing our momentum toward transformative progress for people living with neuromuscular disorders. Learn more at MDA75.org.
