Avi Kremer was just 29 years old when he was diagnosed with ALS in 2004. Working toward his MBA at Harvard Business School, he vowed to not let the disease get in the way of achieving his dreams and living his best life.

Graduating from Harvard Business School in 2006, Avi was just one of five recipients of the Dean’s Award for graduating MBA students who have made a positive impact on the Business School community and the well-being of society. Determined to make a difference for people living with ALS and accelerate the speed of ALS research, he and a few of his classmates set out to do just that.

In that same year, he co-founded Prize4Life, Inc. and in 2007, he founded a second organization, Pras-la’Chaim (Prize4Life-Israel). He led Prize4Life, Inc. as CEO for the majority of its 12-year history and is currently Board Chair of Pras-la’Chaim. “The vision I had for my future may have changed, but I am here, 17 years later, living with ALS – and also, with purpose: to contribute to the worldwide body of knowledge about ALS and the search for treatments and a cure,” he said. “I traveled across the nation, meeting with anyone who would listen to my story.”

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Eight years ago, Avi says he “met an amazing woman who didn’t look at my disease but beyond it. Against all odds she said, ‘yes’ when I proposed, knowing all too well that our future together would be uncertain.” Three years later their beautiful daughter, Ella, was born. “She is the joy of my life and every time she says, ‘Daddy, I love you,’ I melt inside,” says Avi. While he admits being a father living with ALS is challenging, he says it’s the most rewarding experience of his life, giving him extra motivation to find a cure.

Today Avi works closely with The ALS Association, fundraising to ensure all people living with ALS have access to effective treatments and care. Almost completely paralyzed and unable to speak, he communicates by typing using small head movements. “My campaign to help find treatments and a cure is done primarily through a computer,” he says, “but my life is filled with joy, and I am living with ALS.”

Special thanks to Avi Kremer and his family for allowing us to share his inspiring story of courage, determination and hope for people living with ALS. To continue to follow stories about people living with ALS in the community and learn more about the disease, visit our blog HERE.