Ben’s story is wonderfully told, very moving, and is a huge gift to not only those who suffer from ALS, but to people who don’t know anything about the disease.
BIO
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Rebeccah Rush President and Board Director | Andrew Rush Board Treasurer |
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Stephanie Hudson Board Secretary | Sam Parker Board Member |
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Dr. Kim Case Board Member |
HISTORY
In September 2002, Ben Byer was diagnosed with ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was 31 years old with a young son and a promising acting career. Given 2 to 5 years to live with no treatment or cure, Ben transformed his despair, confusion, anger and fear into the award winning feature length documentary film, INDESTRUCTIBLE.
Since January 2004, ALS Film Fund has raised over $300,000 from more than 1000 generous individuals and businesses. All funding went directly to the production and marketing of the film. INDESTRUCTIBLE premiered at the Cinequest Film Festival in March 2007 and won Best Documentary, the first of more than 10 awards and over 20 film-festival screenings worldwide. Critical acclaim has been received from Variety, L.A. Times, Chicago Tribune and numerous media outlets internationally. In summer and fall of 2008, INDESTRUCTIBLE saw its theatrical release in six US cities and there have been several independent screenings at colleges, libraries, medical centers and private homes. INDESTRUCTIBLE was released on DVD in October 2008.
Ben Byer died from ALS on July 3, 2008, just days after making the final edits to INDESTRUCTIBLE. Since his death, ALS Film Fund has continued his work through INDESTRUCTIBLE and other programs, in his spirit and memory. The mission of the organization is to promote awareness through creative and accessible means. In short, we strive to educate the public, government leaders, members of the medical profession and patients alike not only about the disease, but also potential treatments, patient care issues, and much more. We are not a research organization but instead seek new ways to show the world what this disease looks like, feels like, and how it affects both patients and their loved ones. ALS Film Fund is a non-profit 501c-3 organization.
In September 2002, Ben Byer was diagnosed with ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was 31 years old with a young son and a promising acting career. Given 2 to 5 years to live with no treatment or cure, Ben transformed his despair, confusion, anger and fear into the award winning feature length documentary film, INDESTRUCTIBLE.
Since January 2004, ALS Film Fund has raised over $300,000 from more than 1000 generous individuals and businesses. All funding went directly to the production and marketing of the film. INDESTRUCTIBLE premiered at the Cinequest Film Festival in March 2007 and won Best Documentary, the first of more than 10 awards and over 20 film-festival screenings worldwide. Critical acclaim has been received from Variety, L.A. Times, Chicago Tribune and numerous media outlets internationally. In summer and fall of 2008, INDESTRUCTIBLE saw its theatrical release in six US cities and there have been several independent screenings at colleges, libraries, medical centers and private homes. INDESTRUCTIBLE was released on DVD in October 2008.
Ben Byer died from ALS on July 3, 2008, just days after making the final edits to INDESTRUCTIBLE. Since his death, ALS Film Fund has continued his work through INDESTRUCTIBLE and other programs, in his spirit and memory. The mission of the organization is to promote awareness through creative and accessible means. In short, we strive to educate the public, government leaders, members of the medical profession and patients alike not only about the disease, but also potential treatments, patient care issues, and much more. We are not a research organization but instead seek new ways to show the world what this disease looks like, feels like, and how it affects both patients and their loved ones. ALS Film Fund is a non-profit 501c-3 organization.