The 30-day Alpha-1 Awareness Month campaign has been a tremendous success!
This year celebrated the Alpha-1 Foundation’s (A1F) 30th anniversary, honoring three decades of advancing research, raising awareness, and building a strong, supportive community of Alphas through Alpha-1 Support Groups, Alpha-1 specialists in Clinical Resource Centers (CRCs), legislators on Capitol Hill, and the entire Alpha-1 Community.
A1F highlighted four powerful words that define its work each week during November: INSIGHT, INNOVATION, INVESTMENT, and IMPACT throughout all outlets including email and social media platforms, showcasing the vision throughout A1F programs. We hope that you have learned about the many innovative, patient-focused programs and services to support Alphas along their journey.
Alpha-1 Awareness Month 2025 may have just ended, but the work continues. This November, we shared powerful stories, raised visibility, and underscored the challenges Alpha-1 patients face worldwide. We urged decision-makers to act on current health policy opportunities and improve recognition, access, and treatment for all Alpha-1 patients. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined the A1F Virtual Walk and helped raise #Alpha1Awareness throughout November. Your participation, generosity, and encouragement continue to fuel progress for the entire Alpha-1 community. Thank you!
A1F Virtual Walk – Week 5 Recap
This has officially become the most successful A1F Virtual Walk in the Foundation’s history — and we are still raising more awareness and funds!
- $91,000 raised and counting
- 82 teams nationwide
- The fundraising pages remain open through December 31, 2025
We are deeply grateful to every team captain, walker, donor, and partner who helped make the A1F Virtual Walk commemorating the Foundation’s 30th anniversary.
Top A1F Virtual Walk Fundraising Teams:
1. Utah Rocks for Alpha-1= $13,005
Team Captain: Craig Hamilton
#1 fundraiser of 2025.
2. Arkansas Friends= $10,000
Team Captain: Anita Sellers
Raised $10,000 raised doubling their original fundraising goal, walked 633 miles in memory of her late husband Keith, and continued the beloved Razorback Quilt raffle tradition.
3. TEAM STEVE =$6,460
Team Captain: Memory Whitlock
A beautiful continuation of her promise to her late husband Steve, bringing together three generations of their family each Thanksgiving.
4. N.Y. & N.J. Support Group – $3,072
Team Captain: Dan Grimm
5. HCCLSM – Alpha-1 Walk = $2,795
Team Captain: Khazer Javaid
6. Tom Mulholland Team =$2,645
Team Captain: Niveen Mulholland
7. Big Red Alphas =$2,500
Team Captains: Chelsea Boring & Nora Kemmerer
8. Team Vaillancour =$2,365
Team Captain: Bruce Little
9. Grifols – Northwest= $2,200
Team Captain: Jennifer Leiker
10. Oregon Alphas –=$1,895
Team Captains: Natasha Durant & Mary Chilton
Top Individual Fundraisers
- Razorback Quilt Raffle/Anita Sellers =$3,660
- Daniel Ross $1,670
- Roger Hanes $1,170
- William Lyles =$1,160
- Karen Fisher-Nguyen= $1,155
- Memory Whitlock =$1,150
- Julie Vaillancour – $1,100
- Dan Grimm =$1,082
- Cassandra Pereira= $1,050
- Bridgette Holbrook McIntosh= $1,030
Week 5 A1F Virtual Walk Highlights
Team Smith from Virginia Beach led by Team Captain: Mindi Smith
Team Smith has participated in the A1F Virtual Walk since 2018.
Mindi’s son was diagnosed at just 5 months old, is now 12 years old and thriving.
Alpha-1 affects three generations in their family including her father, grandmother, and her son.
Team MIA Alphas from Toledo, OH
Team Captains: Kari & Dave Black
Kari began a clinical trial this week and shared a photo with Clinical Trial Coordinator Josefa and Dr. Robert Fontana. A powerful moment showing hope and progress during November Awareness Month.
Team Alpha DAWGS walked in North Carolina
Team Captain: Lynn Soriano
Lynn and her family walked together over the holiday weekend, raising awareness as a united family.
Industry Partners in Action
AASLD
The annual American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) The Liver Meeting took place from November 7-11, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The Alpha-1 Foundation (A1F) was proud to exhibit at the event to the global hepatology community including clinicians, researchers, and allied health providers representing academia, clinical practice, and industry. The meeting offered access to the latest breakthroughs in liver disease research, practical tools for patient care, and a powerful network of experts shaping the future of hepatology. The event provided a great opportunity to raise awareness for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) liver disease.
A1F hosted its annual Grants Awards Reception honoring the grant awardees in the liver space. The Foundation continued to celebrate its 30th anniversary, a milestone that commemorates and honors the legacy of those who have impacted the Alpha-1 community, especially the Alphas and their families whom A1F serves. For three decades, with the insight of the Alpha-1 community, A1F has designed and launched innovative patient-focused programs and services that support Alphas along their journey, including a solid infrastructure to promote pioneering scientific research and the establishment of collaborative partnerships to advance the development of novel therapies.
European Alliance
A1F participated in the European Alliance Alpha-1 Awareness Month Event 2025 on November 20 in Brussels. Momentum is building in the European Parliament for rare diseases, and the Alpha-1 community is ready to seize the opportunity. With the EU unlocking key opportunities like the upcoming Biotech Act and the ongoing implementation of the Substances of Human Origin (SoHO) regulation, now is the time to push for fair access to plasma-derived therapies and better care for all rare disease patients. Presenters included Scott Santarella, A1F President & CEO, MEP Olivier Chastel from Belgium, and Prof. Pavel Strnad, as well as patient and panelists.
Grifols
Grifols employees participated in a regional challenge nationwide to raise funds and awareness for Alpha-1.
On November 7th, each region walked in their local communities alongside A1F support groups including Alphas healthcare providers, family, friends, and even pets.
- 90+ participants across all regions
- $6,625 raised to date
- Official 2025 A1F purple t-shirts worn proudly in workplaces and in meetings
- Continued momentum through the end of 2025
Takeda
Takeda shared exciting initiatives for Alpha-1 Awareness Month, including:
- Takeda Branded Press Release featuring Glassia patient ambassador Linda, distributed across 400+ news outlets across the United States
- Disease Awareness Speaker Series with 4 national programs (digital & print flyers were made sharable)
- Thought leadership posts on LinkedIn from Takeda leadership
- Awareness Month recognition in an employee Town Halls and throughout internal communications
CSL
CSL highlighted their teams’ participation in awareness campaigns this fall: “Team CSL Supports the Alpha-1 Community”
Beam Therapeutics
Beam Therapeutic employees joined efforts at the CHEST conference, strengthening connections with physicians in the Alpha-1 community.
Sanofi
Sanofi leadership in Boston, Massachusetts gathered to show support and recognized Alpha-1 Awareness Month in their headquarters in Boston.
