ALS United Greater New York sets annual Legacy Gala for Nov. 10 in New York City

ALS United Greater New York will hold its annual Legacy Gala on Tuesday at Pier Sixty in New York City, honoring leaders in philanthropy, research, sports and sports journalism while paying tribute to Tiffany Dillon, who is living with ALS. ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap will host the fundraising event, which supports care, research and advocacy in the fight against ALS.

Why it matters: - The Legacy Gala is ALS United Greater New York’s signature fundraising event. - Proceeds support medical research, local care services and advocacy for people living with ALS. - ALS remains a fatal disease with no known cause, cure or effective treatment.

What happened: - ALS United Greater New York will host its annual Legacy Gala on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, at Pier Sixty in New York City. - ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap will host the evening. - The gala will honor Marc Cinque, Dr. Neil Shneider, Geno Smith and Tim Kurkjian. - The event will also pay tribute to Tiffany Dillon, who is living with ALS.

The details: - Marc Cinque will receive the Jacob K. Javits Lifetime Achievement Award. - Cinque is CEO of Premio Foods, one of the largest manufacturers of fresh sausage in the world. - Cinque and his late brother, Steven, built Premio Foods into a global leader in high-end sausage products. - Steven Cinque was diagnosed with ALS in 2007 and died in 2009. - Marc Cinque and the Cinque family have partnered with ALS United Greater New York on care and research efforts. - Dr. Neil Shneider will receive the Alan R. Griffith Visionary Research Award. - Shneider is the Claire Tow Professor of Motor Neuron Disorders at Columbia University. - Shneider is also director of the Eleanor and Lou Gehrig ALS Center and co-director of the Claire Tow Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease. - His work helped lay the foundation for an investigational RNA-targeted medicine for FUS-ALS. - Ionis Pharmaceuticals and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Companies (U.S.) advanced that work through the Phase 3 FUSION study. - The Phase 3 FUSION study is the first placebo-controlled trial to show benefit from a therapy targeting the genetic cause of FUS-ALS. - Geno Smith will receive the Sports Award. - Smith was a standout quarterback at West Virginia University and earned First-Team All-Big East honors. - The New York Jets selected Smith in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. - Smith led the Seahawks to the playoffs in 2022 and won NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors. - Smith also earned two consecutive Pro Bowl selections. - Smith founded the 7 Sunday Heroes Foundation while with the Jets. - The foundation invites underprivileged children and children with special needs to games. - Smith also hosts an annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaway for families in need. - Tim Kurkjian will receive the Champion Award. - Kurkjian joined ESPN in March 1998 as a reporter and senior writer for Baseball Tonight. - He appears regularly on Baseball Tonight and SportsCenter. - Kurkjian is also part of ESPN’s Little League World Series coverage and has worked as an analyst for Monday Night Baseball and Wednesday Night Baseball. - Kurkjian began focusing on ALS advocacy after his brother, Matt Kurkjian, was diagnosed in July 2021. - Matt Kurkjian died from ALS on Sept. 4, 2023. - Tiffany Dillon was diagnosed with ALS in May 2025 at age 29. - Dillon noticed weakness and stiffness in her right foot in 2024 after getting married. - Her symptoms progressed to falls, stair trouble and reduced mobility. - Dillon and her husband, Josh, welcomed their son, Mason, in April 2026. - Dillon now advocates for the ALS community and supports research aimed at giving people more options, more time and more hope.

Between the lines: - The gala mixes recognition of public figures with a patient tribute, tying fundraising to visible personal stories. - The honorees reflect the organization’s focus on research, caregiving, sports leadership and public awareness. - The inclusion of a young mother living with ALS underscores how the disease affects families at every stage of life.

What's next: - The gala begins with a 6:30 p.m. reception and silent auction, followed by a 7:30 p.m. dinner and awards presentation. - ALS United Greater New York says ticket sales and event proceeds will continue to fund research, care and advocacy. - More information about the organization is available at ALS United Greater New York.