The Angel Fund

The Angel Fund for ALS Research is an independent Wakefield nonprofit that raises money for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) research at Mass General Brigham and UMass Chan Medical School. Its stated belief is that ALS is not unbeatable but underfunded, so it channels donations to leading researchers working to understand the disease, uncover its causes and move promising therapies from the laboratory toward treatment. About 92 percent of funds spent go to research.

Ginny DelVecchio founded the organization in 1987 while living with ALS; her mother and brother had both died of the disease, and she died of it in 1998. Her cousins, the Nigro and Kennedy families, carry on her work, and the board includes people directly affected by ALS. Supporters call themselves “Angels Over Boston” and fund the work through events such as 100 Innings of Baseball, a car raffle and the Walk for Hope for ALS.

What to Know

• The fund supports research into why military veterans develop ALS at higher rates.
• Sponsorships, grants, corporate gifts and community programs also support the research mission.
• Volunteers can sign up to help at the fund’s events.
• The fund is listed by the Wakefield Lynnfield Chamber of Commerce.