States are finally putting the Right To Try law in effect.

The "Right To Try" law allows terminally ill patients to obtain experimental drugs without getting federal approval. 

The Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS was started by Quilters Dream Batting owner, Kathy Thompson in efforts to raise awareness and funds for this awful disease. Kathy's son, Josh was diagnosed with ALS in 2007. After many promises from the FDA and much time spent working to get the necessary treatments, Josh was denied access to a possibly life saving medicine, crippling this young man's ability to live and hindering his quality of life. 

In the video below, Kathy shares her story. 

However, there may be a bright side for patients suffering from terminally ill diseases. 

So far, five states including Colorado and Louisiana have jumped on board and put the Right To Try law in effect! 

Goldwater Institute's  Senior political advisor, Lucy Caldwell, interviews with Fox News about how this law could save many lives. 

Like most things, this law has caused debates and controversy. What's your take? Hope your state passes the law if it already hasn't? Leave us a comment. 

Sending quilts to ALS patients around the country.

One of the many rewarding parts of the Hopes & Dreams Challenge is sending quilts so generously donated to ALS Association chapters across the country. From there, those chapters will hand deliver the quilts to ALS patients (PALS).  Yesterday, we shipped 617 quilts totaling 67 boxes!! There are still a few more ALS chapters we are waiting to hear back from so that technically isn't the grand total. But who is really counting, right? The fact that one single quilt can bring joy and comfort to someone battling such a terrible disease is more than just numbers. 


Prior to shipping, one of our #battgirls here in the office, Neva, spent the day touching base with the ALS Association chapters to get an idea of how many quilts they needed. The response was great. Take a look at the warehouse with boxes of quilts piled up before and after!  Although we sent out 617 quilts, we could have used at least 500 more to cover all the requests we had from the ALS Association chapters! 

Ivanka and Kathy double checking each box before giving the "go" to ship.

Almost finished! Just keep sorting. Just keep sorting. 

Included in the boxes, was a letter from Kathy Thompson to each ALS chapter: 

On behalf of Quilters Dream Batting and the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS, we are pleased to send you these quilts to share with your PALS. Each quilt was handcrafted with love from quilters across the country who have given their time and talents to bring warmth to the laps and lives of individuals diagnosed with ALS.

As the co-founder and owner of Quilters Dream Batting, a Virginia Beach based business that manufactures high quality quilt batting, I knew just how generous and caring the quilt community would be. What I didn't know was how willing these quilters were to embrace the challenge and not only touch my life, but those living with ALS, including my son.

The Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS was created in 2009, when I decided to raise awareness and research funds to help find a cure for ALS. In 2007, my now 40 year old son Josh, was diagnosed with ALS. The disease has taken Josh from a strong, happy, athletic young husband and father to being completely paralyzed. He is currently on life support.

This annual challenge has been an incredible success over the years and has received thousands of quilts! More than 4000 quilts have been given to PALS through ALS chapters across the U.S. More than $80,000 has been raised through the sale of select quilts donated to the challenge and 100% of the proceeds have been given in the form of grants to support ALS research.

We appreciate your chapter distributing these quilts to your PALS. Many quilters have attached stories with their quilts- others did not. We encourage you or your PALS to contact the quilter as most are anxious to learn who received their quilt.

We are hopeful that the gift of these quilts will let PALS know that there are many people who care and they are surrounded by love and concern.

Thank you for all that you do.

 Sincerely,

 Kathy Thompson (mother of Josh Thompson)



With the holidays just around the corner, consider the gift of a quilt to a family member or friend and help find a cure for ALS. 

Select donated quilts can be purchased by visiting our Storenvy shop and stopping into Richard Stravitz's art gallery located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Because Quilters Dream Batting takes care of all Hopes & Dreams expenses, 100% of the money received from quilt sales will go towards ALS research.

Are you a quilter and wish to donate a quilt? Head over to the Hopes & Dreams website for more information. There are plenty of categories you can enter and chances to win fabulous prizes from our generous sponsors. Click HERE to see what 2015 prizes have already been sent in!

A big thanks to the staff at Quilters Dream Batting, who worked hard moving and shipping all those boxes yesterday! It was an exhausting effort, but filled with great joy and excitement for those patients who will receive a quilt.

We'd also like to say thank you to EVERYONE who participated in the 2013-2014 challenge! Without your quilt donations and our generous sponsors, we wouldn't have had such a rewarding day! 

Ice Bucket Challenge

Why is everyone dumping buckets of ice water over their heads you ask?

If you've been living under a rock for the past few weeks, lets catch you up to speed on the latest viral sensation that's getting out of hand...in the very BEST way!

It all began when Massachusetts resident Pete Frates, 29,  who's been living with ALS since 2012 and his family  came up with the idea. The challenge involves people getting doused with buckets of ice water on video, posting that video to social media, then nominating others to do the same, all in an effort to raise ALS awareness. Those who refuse to take the challenge are asked to make a donation of at least $100 to the ALS charity of their choice.

People all over, even celebrities such as the Kennedy's, Justin Timberlake, and NFL football teams have accepted the #icebucketchallenge. And since we are determined to find a cure and raise awareness for this awful disease, of course we took the challenge as well!

Those brave enough to get drenched on this sunny warm Friday (thank goodness, could you imagine this during the winter?) came prepared with bags of towels and extra clothes to change into afterwards. I even think I saw a hairdryer in the bathroom haha.

Buckets of all sizes, NONE too small were filled with ice and water to the rim! They were placed under the trees out front of Quilters Dream Batting Headquarters as 7 thrill seekers waited for a chill. Kathy Thompson, owner of QDB, decided it would be fun to "nominate/challenge" other batting companies. You will have to watch the video to see who she will choose.

Soooooo COLD!!!!!!!!!!!

Sharon

Jane

Jason

Kathy K.

Gina

Neva

How could we leave out the boss?? Kathy Thompson

We couldn't be happier to be soaking wet amongst many others in the hopes to find a cure and raise awareness for ALS! 

We hope to come across your video in the social media world. 

Meet Forever In Stitches- $1,000 Grand Sponsor

Meet the owners of Forever In Stitches, Ruth and Rick Grihalva. 

This photo captures the memory of Forever In Stitches's grand opening in 2004.
Ruth (with scissors), Rick (second from right) and son Peter (between both)

Forever In Stitches, LLC is a full service quilt shop located in northwest Ohio at the center of Bluffton. The 130 year old building houses 3,000 square feet of quilting delight. Forever In Stitches, LLC is the home of the Perfect Corner Ruler™ (which Ruth invented!)  and Raggedy Ruth Designs™. With products including more than 2,500 bolts of fabric displayed with their 5,000 fat quarters, wide backing, batting, notions, gifts, patterns, magazines, longarm services, and over 1,100 proprietary digitized quilting longarm designs...we are pretty sure their quilting customers, friends, and family can all find something to keep them busy in this shop! 

This is not the first year that Forever In Stitches have been Grand Sponsors of our quilt challenge but it wasn't until now we became aware of the personal connection Rick had with ALS. 

Twenty-four years ago I was talking to one of my best friends, Dave, and president of my company, Executive Insights. Dave Alderman asked me to raise my hands above my head. He wanted to see how difficult it was for me, which it was not. It turned out that he could not raise his left arm higher than his shoulder. Being a stout, strong man, the situation troubled him. Shortly thereafter he was diagnosed with ALS [Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - Lou Gehrig's disease]. He rapidly deteriorated physically into a wheelchair. He resigned his position to seek ways to make his mark on the world before he died. As Dave moved from one level to the next, always lower, his cheerful, gregarious nature remained. Dave was fortunate that his wife, Helen, was a nurse. When you have a friend with ALS, you do things you did not think you would normally do. This is because ALS "disconnects” all of the nerves from the muscles. This makes it almost impossible to function in a normal fashion. These disconnects also include the muscles needed for breathing. One basically suffocates. Fortunately for Helen, David died in his sleep, even though he was using a breathing machine. I pray that our donation will help others.   Forever In Stitches is proud to announce that we are a Grand Sponsor of "Hopes & Dreams: Quilt Challenge to ALS."

                   
We are touched that Rick chose to sharing his story. As part of their $1000 Grand Sponsorship in prizes, Forever In Stitches has graciously donated an assortment of their patterns which include the Perfect Corner Ruler and Intersection Indicator.

If you have a moment, please click here to tell Forever In Stitches

 THANK YOU for continuing as a member of the Hopes & Dreams 

sponsorship team.  

You can also follow them on Facebook and get updates on what's going on in their shop!  

To Ruth & Rick, 

Quilters Dream Batting and the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS are incredibly thankful for your tremendous support!

Dr. Feldman Univ of Michigan

Meet Linda Teufel of Dragon Threads - $1,000 Grand Sponsor of Hopes & Dreams

Say hello to Linda Teufel.

Linda Tuefel owner of Dragon Threads.

Linda has owned and operated Dragon Threads Textile Art Books since 1994.

Linda is also the author of two books, KOOS couture & collage and Quilting Party! Group Quilting for Celbration, Commemoration, and Charity.

Linda loves helping others, whether introducing them to a new idea or twist on a traditional art form, or inspiring someone to make quilts that are donated to others.  She believes in Hopes & Dreams and became a Grand Sponsor the very first year of the challenge in 2009.

When we asked Linda why she continues to support Hopes & Dreams by donating $1,000 in books as prizes each year, she said, "My best friend's mother has ALS and went through it and my Aunt had it, too.  I didn't watch my Aunt go through the daily struggles with this disease, but I saw her from time to time and it's pretty disturbing up close.  My best friends mother was in her body, but couldn't come out having lost all muscle movement.  They got her a machine to help her communicate and then took her to Germany to try testing.  It was very sad. Donating the books is a little thing to do.  It's not finding a cure, but it is something."

Yes, Linda - it is a big something!  If you will, take a moment and click here and tell Linda "Thanks!" for continuing to support the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS as a Grand Sponsor.

Quilts, Baseball, Apple Pie and Hopes & Dreams

Here's to Quilts, Baseball, Apple Pie and Hopes & Dreams

Fireworks, home cooking, family gatherings and our flag waving, national anthem singing American Pride. Those are many of the images we remember in preparing for and celebrating our nation's Independence this 4th of July weekend.

It's "Baseball, Apple Pie and the American Way."  

75-years ago, July 4, 1939, it was baseball and the courage of Hall of Fame first baseman Lou Gehrig that changed the unknown face of one of the most devastating diseases we know, ALS - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

With our Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS, Quilters Dream Batting is working to bring Hope to the Dreams of a Cure for ALS.  And this weekend, Major League Baseball [MLB.com] is also helping to raise funds and bring awareness to ALS.  The below video was produced by Major League Baseball [MLB.com] and features all 30 current MLB first basemen (and a cameo by Yankee Derek Jeter) reciting Gehrig's now-iconic oration.  It was played at Yankee Stadium before New York hosted the Tampa Bay Rays' afternoon game Wednesday, July 3.

[Read Lou Gehrig's Full Speech here]

Too many of our fellow Americans are facing the same death sentence that Lou Gehrig faced - far too many.  Your quilts donated to the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS are making a difference in the lives of our "PALS" - people living with ALS.  They are also making a real difference in supporting research that is close to finding a treatment and cure for ALS.

This year's Challenge is coming to an end - let's make July our month of hope with the dream of independence from the struggles of ALS.  Please encourage your family, patrons, and quilting friends to donate a quilt to Hopes & Dreams by July 31st . (Quilts received later will be part of next year's Challenge.)

If you need additional information, please call Quilters Dream Batting toll-free at (888) 268-8664.

Quilts can be sent to:

Hopes & Dreams

c/o Quilters Dream Batting

589 Central Drive

Virginia Beach, VA  23454

Like our Hopes & Dreams Facebook page to view all of the beautiful quilts and wonderful prizes that have been donated so far!  The generosity of quilters is truly remarkable.

 

If you enjoy our Facebook Page please suggest it to a friend.

Thank you for helping us give hope to our dreams of a cure!

Splish Splash Quilt Bash Fun in Michigan

As we head into the Fourth of July holiday weekend, we wanted to give you an update on what is happening with our inaugural Splish Splash Quilt Bash Challenge between The Joyful Quilter in New York and Quilt-n-Bee in Michigan.

Sharon Kaiser and her daughter have really been busy promoting Hopes & Dreams.  The last count (and she says it's growing daily) was 51 quilts made and donated by her quilt shop patrons and friends.

Sharon took this picture of a couple of the quilts at the marina on Grand Traverse Bay to celebrate a little of the 'splish' in the 'splash' of helping to bring awareness to ALS in her community, as well as provide warmth, hope and love to PALS - people living with ALS - who will receive the quilts.

For Sharon the joy of the challenge is in honoring her neice Cheryl who died of ALS when she was 50. "Sharon was always willing to share her gifts with everyone else and she was an avid quilter," says Sharon. "The Splish Splish Quilt Bash and Hopes & Dreams are the perfect way to give life to her gifts and help someone else who is living with this devestating disease."

Sharon Kaiser of Quilt-n-Bee in Michigan participating
in the Splish Splash Quilt Bash to honor her neice Cheryl who died of ALS at the age of 50.

The fun 'banter' between the two shop owners continues. 

The Joyful Quilter Splish Splash Quilt Bash donation and prize pool.

Earlier this week, Susan at The Joyful Quilter posted this photo of her Splish Splash display on her Facebook Page.  Susan posted, "Our Splish-Splash pool is half full!  Donate a quilt or other project and be entered into our drawing for a prize valued at $500!  Now through July 31st!"

So Sharon at Quilt-n-Bee, in a good natured way, replies, "I've got to get a cool boat like that!  Only ours will have to be MUCH larger...lol."

To which Susan counters with, "Sorry Sharon, I forgot to mention the quilts in the in-ground pool in back..."

Provoking a big grin and belly laugh from Sharon who ended with, "Now that made me laugh out loud!!! Thank you, I certainly needed that."

Actually - if there are any THANK YOU's to pass out, it's from all of us here at Quilters Dream Batting and the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS.  Susan and Sharon - your participation not only honors but brings to life the joy and love of your family members and is bringing HOPE to our DREAMS of a CURE for ALS!

Mistyfuse - Sticking Together with Hopes & Dreams to Find a Cure for ALS

Many of you know Mistyfuse.  

Their line of lightweight fusible materials are great for applique and basting a quilt. Last year Mistyfuse joined our Hopes & Dreams team and have decided to stick with us again as a $1,000 Grand Sponsor for our 6th Annual Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS that begins August 1st.

Becky packing Mistyfuse.

When we asked Mistyfuse why they chose to be a Hopes & Dreams sponsor they wrote, "A handmade quilt can convey so much: love, warmth, creative expression, community, generosity, care...the list could go on...

Larisa packing Goddess Sheets.

...Sharing the work from one person's hands to warm and comfort another is so inspiring and this makes our job providing materials to make this possible easy...

Goddess Sheets are a perfect compliment to applying Mistyfuse to all your applique and craft projects.

...We are pleased to be a part of the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge to raise money and awareness to find a cure for ALS and hope that many, many quilts are shared to bring comfort to those struggling from this disease."

If you have a moment, please click here and tell Mistyfuse THANK YOU for continuing as a member of the Hopes & Dreams sponsorship team.  

And if you happen to have some prefused Mistyfuse fabric scraps hanging around, click here for a free pattern they offer for a free Mini Fabric Collage Journel designed for Mistyfuse by Sue Bleiweiss.

Meet Todd and Liesl Gibson of Straight Stitch Society

Meet Todd and Liesl Gibson.

Todd and Liesl Gibson 

The Gibson's own Straight Stitch Society patterns.

As you can read in the photo above, Straight Stitch Society brings the "fun back to sewing with supercute projects that feature a little attitude and a lot of flair."

The Gibson's also have 'a lot of flair' themselves in supporting worthy causes and they believe the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS is one of them.  Todd and Liesl have been Grand Sponsors of the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS from the beginning.  When we talked to Todd and asked him why they chose to be Grand Sponsors of the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS, and why they continue to be Grand Sponsors, Todd's replied, "Because you asked nicely."  

That nonchalant, happy attitude is also present in the companies Manifesto.

If you have a moment, click here and tell Todd and Liesl "Thank You" for supporting Hopes & Dreams.  

To Todd and Liesl - Quilters Dream Batting and the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS send a big 

for matching the kindness of our ask with the kindness of your support!

Your grateful Hopes & Dreams Coordinator