To honor a mother's battle with ALS, community event raises $50,000 toward ALS patient care

Mike Fitzgerald’s mother was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) around 13 years ago. After seeing firsthand the toll ALS takes on both patients and caregivers, Fitzgerald and his wife Melanie launched a nonprofit called Head Cook for ALS with a two-part mission: funding research to find a cure and caring for patients.

In 2019, the Fitzgeralds, who are friends with the owners of The Vogue Theatre in Indianapolis, had an idea for a Head Cook for ALS event they dubbed Madness At The Vogue. They targeted March of 2020 for the first event, but when the world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was impossible to launch an in-person event. Nevertheless, a tradition began.

“We had sold tables. We had sponsors. People sent us money,” Fitzgerald said. “When we had to cancel, I started sending money back. Everyone said, ‘Hey, keep the money. It will be a donation.’ That was just amazing.”

Since 2022, Madness At The Vogue has returned to the annual, in-person celebration the Fitzgeralds intended. After the 2023 event, Head Cook for ALS donated $50,000 to IU Health to support care for patients with ALS.

“One of my favorite days of the year is the first Thursday of the NCAA basketball tournament,” Fitzgerald said. “A couple of my good friends own The Vogue. They shut down the venue for that day and help us set up the private event. We sell tables. We have sponsors and food partners. We pull big TVs in there and watch games all day long. In the middle of that, we turn the volume down, hop on stage and remind people why we’re there with a couple auction items. I think we’ve struck a good balance.”

In addition to being grateful for the support of friends, Fitzgerald — co-founder and partner at High Alpha — also credits Madness at The Vogue’s success to the local tech community’s deep connection to Angie’s List co-founder and local tech luminary Bill Oesterle. Oesterle, who passed away at the age of 57 after his own battle with ALS, received his treatment at IU Health.

“I had a visit with Bill and his wife Kristi just two months before he passed away,” Fitzgerald said. “Bill’s endorsement led us to make this initial gift to IU Health Foundation in his honor. We feel the connection to IU Health gives us a good opportunity to have a steady presence in the work that’s happening around ALS in our community.”

Fitzgerald also appreciates how people have rallied around a cause that is close to his heart. “This philanthropic work has opened my eyes,” he said. “People are generous when there’s a story behind a cause, and they see it’s personally important to you. I’m grateful for the support, and I feel a responsibility to do good things with it.”

Hosting a fundraiser is a great way to bring together like-minded people to support IU Health in addressing a healthcare challenge you care about. To support ALS patient care at IU Health, contact IU Health Foundation Senior Development Officer Eric Statler at estatler@iuhealth.org or 317.962.4537.