On May 2, 2025, the Alpha-1 community came together on the serene waters of Lake Norman, North Carolina for Cruising for a Cure—a heartfelt evening in support of the Alpha-1 Foundation’s (A1F) mission to find a cure for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1).
Hosted by the Carr Family, the event was inspired by their personal journey after their young daughter, Tess, was diagnosed with Alpha-1 at just 9 months old. Surrounded by a compassionate and dedicated community, this event was a powerful reminder of the strength that can be found in unity, purpose, and shared hope.
A special thanks to Erin Carr, A1F Board Member, and her husband John Carr for their incredible leadership, generosity, and commitment to making this event such a meaningful success. Through their efforts, Cruising for a Cure raised an impressive $20,000 to support Alpha-1 research and programs—an amazing impact that will be felt by families across the country.
A1F leadership joined together for this great Building Friends for a Cure (BFC) event including Scott Santarella, A1F President & CEO, Jon Hagstrom, A1F Chair of the Board of Directors, Angela McBride, A1FSenior Director of Corporate Relations & Strategic Planning, Dr. Michael “Brad” Drummond and his nurse, Nancy Boughey, from the University of North Carolina Hospital.
Guests enjoyed an evening cruise, heartfelt speeches, and inspiring conversations—all centered around the importance of Alpha-1 research and community support. As the sun set over Lake Norman, the spirit of hope was stronger than ever.
Thanks to everyone who joined the event, donated, and stood with the Carr family to make Cruising for a Cure an evening to remember. Together, we are creating a brighter future for all Alphas.
“The Cruising for a Cure, BFC event, was a truly magical night. I had the privilege of spending the evening on beautiful Lake Norman, surrounded by family, friends and colleagues all coming together for a single cause – raising funds to advance the mission of the Alpha-1 Foundation and finding a cure for Alpha-1. I am so grateful to the Foundation for their amazing guidance and support through the planning process – they made everything feel easy and helped make my big idea a reality. I look forward, with great anticipation, to making this an annual event. We will be Cruising for a Cure again in May 2026,” stated Erin.
Since 2005, the BFC program has become a cornerstone of Alpha-1 awareness and fundraising, touching lives across the country. These community fundraisers have not only raised funds for Alpha-1 research and programs but also educated and empowered participants with valuable Alpha-1 knowledge. The BFC events are held virtually and in-person, making it easy to fundraise for Alpha-1 and share your story. The program’s influence extends beyond the patient community. By involving physicians, researchers, and industry partners, the BFC program offers a unique opportunity for stakeholders to gain firsthand insight into life with Alpha-1.
“Erin’s Alpha-1 journey began with Tess, but her determination and drive quickly became a force that has shaped the future of the Foundation. Her ‘mom-power’—the most unstoppable power of all—helped reestablish the Alpha-1 Kids program, build a national community for parents and caregivers, and expand access to liver and pediatric specialists across the country. She even joined us in Boston for a Building Friends for a Cure training, where she discovered her incredible talent for turning passion into action. Tonight’s beautiful event is just one more example of the impact she continues to make. We are so lucky to have her as part of the Alpha-1 family,” said Scott Santarella, President & CEO, Alpha-1 Foundation
Thank you to our Building Friends for a Cure sponsors for making this event possible: AlphaNet, CSL Behring, Grifols and Takeda.
For more photos:
https://alphaone.egnyte.com/fl/L1dW7LN0eW
