"Never Give Up, Always Give Back" - Jim Barber

About Jim Barber

Jim Barber was a Vietnam War veteran and a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the UC Hastings College of Law. He was a successful attorney for more than 30 years before he was diagnosed with ALS in 2006.

During his nearly decade-long battle with this disease, Jim became an instrumental voice in the ALS community. He helped create the California ALS Advocacy Committee, whose work resulted in the passage of two bills - The ALS Standard of Care Bill, which stated the highest standard of care for people with ALS in the California Health Code, and the California Tax Check-off Bill, which to date has raised more than $600,000 for ALS research. In addition, along with other advocates, Jim helped secure a pivotal $18 million grant for ALS research from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). The ALS Association and ALS Network, formerly ALS Golden West recognized Jim for his work by honoring him with the Iron Horse Award in 2010 and the Heroes Living with ALS Award in 2011 and again in 2016.

A major outcome of Jim's work was the formation of the California ALS Research Network in 2010 and the creation of the annual ALS Research Summit in 2011.

About the Barber ALS Research Award

Jim Barber held a deep passion and commitment to advancing scientific achievement through fostering and developing new ideas. It was his desire that the annual ALS Research Summit would encourage collaboration and sharing of ideas as well as give special recognition to those participating researchers.

Beginning with the 2017 Summit and continuing annually, the Barber family and ALS Network will present three (3) cash awards of $1,000 to each of the top poster presenters, along with a special memento recognizing their accomplishments.