THE ESSEY AWARDS
Named for one of the organization's founding board members, San Francisco's Richard "Dick" Essey, the prestigious Essey Awards are given annually for outstanding efforts in support of mission priorities in ALS research, care services, and advocacy.
Honorees
Diagnosed with ALS in March 2022 at the age of 33, Brooke Eby isn't what you picture when you think of a terminal disease. With her vibrant personality, penchant for humor, and positive outlook on life, Brooke is using her platform to help raise awareness and funding for ALS research (over $1M raised!). A natural storyteller armed with "levity as her superpower," she shares her life with the world and has cultivated a strong, supportive, and far-reaching community. By candidly sharing her experiences trying new mobility devices, travelling, figuring out adaptive clothing, and moving back in with her parents, Brooke gives people an authentic and relatable view into what living life with a progressive terminal illness is like. In 2024, she launched ALSTogether.org, an online platform that allows people dealing with the disease to share resources, ask questions, and find community. When she's not sharing updates on the internet, Brooke enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and pets.
Robert Hammer credits his love for rock & roll, automobiles and his success in business with eventually leading him to volunteer in the ALS community.
His story begins with growing up in Cleveland in the 60's and 70's with a huge love for rock music, which fed his ambition to write a rock column for the local music scene magazine and DJ for the local FM radio station. In 1978, he became the designer, general manager, and partner for "Cleveland's answer to Studio 54," Nite Moves, and later built club Nirvana in Toledo. Robert reminisces that these clubs "afforded me the luxury of acquiring my first sports car, a 1973 Porsche 911 T, and later, a used 1975 Ferrari Dino 308 GT 4."
In 1985 Robert moved to Northern California and took a job in accounts receivable management sales. Jump to July 1987, when he answered an ad in the local newspaper for an auto broker. The ad said, "Must love and know all vehicles, as well as people & sales skills." The rest is history.
During his work for that company, Robert conceptualized a different kind of auto brokerage business where the consumer could trust somebody in the automobile business. In 1994, his own company, Hammer Auto, was born.
As the company gained success, Robert began seeking ways to give back. A member of the community reached out to him about attending and donating a lease to a fundraiser for the Bay Area Chapter of the ALS Association at Trader Vic's in Palo Alto. The event was to honor Al Hart, a local KGO talk radio host whose wife, Sally, was afflicted with ALS.
The auction did well (he donated a VW Beetle lease), and he got a phone call the next week asking if he would like to be on the board of directors for the Bay Area Chapter. Robert stepped in to Chair and Emcee multiple events, including walks, rides, galas, and golf outings. In the process, he began to meet and befriend dozens of families and individuals impacted by ALS. When he started volunteering, he had no personal ALS connection but within a few years, Robert reflects, "I found myself connected to too many people who have been impacted by this awful disease. I'm glad to be able to help with awareness and fundraising however I can."
Robert Hammer has now provided generous and meaningful support to our organization for over 25 years. During this time, Robert, along with his wife Tammy, their family, and dear friends, have been tireless supporters of our vision and mission, dedicating themselves to families facing ALS who are served by the ALS Network. A past, multi-year Chair for Champions for Cures and Care and currently an Advisory Trustee, Robert and his company, Hammer Auto, commit the proceeds from all vehicles donated to the ALS Network to power our mission priorities.