Frankfort Man To Be Honored By Les Turner ALS Foundation

FRANKFORT, IL — The Les Turner ALS Foundation will honor a Frankfort man at its Hope Through Caring Gala Feb. 22. Matt Creen was diagnosed with ALS in November 2013, and since that time, his commitment to his faith has been strengthened. Creen considers his ALS diagnosis a gift and feels a responsibility to do the most with it, he said in a press release.

The Les Turner ALS Foundation will honor Creen for his efforts to inspire hope and support the Chicagoland ALS community. According to the foundation, the gala will be at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago and is expected attract more than 600 guests.

Creen will be presented with the Hope Through Caring Award, which honors those whose commitment to the fight against ALS has helped raise funds for research, provide services for patients and families and increase public awareness, a release states. Creen will be honored in a special video presentation by Steve Gleason, former NFL player, founder of Team Gleason and as of recently, Congressional Gold Medal recipient.

Creen first noticed in July 2013 that he was tripping over his words. Soon after, he found himself having trouble opening his dresser, buttoning dress shirts and holding golf clubs, according to the foundation. Creen visited his doctor, who referred him to a neurologist who ordered tests. Meanwhile, Creen’s own research indicated he might have ALS. His suspicion was confirmed at the Les Turner ALS Center at Northwestern Medicine.

Creen is now essentially a quadriplegic, though he has some slight movement in his lower extremities. He takes all nutrition and hydration through a feeding tube. He is also unable to speak, and depends on a communication device controlled by his eye movement. A ventilator helps him breathe.

Despite his physical limitations, Matt leads a fulfilling and busy life. He spends time with his large family, which consists of his wife of 31 years, their 11 siblings, and their children and grandchildren, according to the foundation. The Creens travel, venture out for live concerts with friends and attend church.

"Among the greatest joys is planning and attending our golf outing," Creen said. "Six years ago when I considered how I could pair my passion for golf with my network of friends and family for a greater good, it was clear we should organize a golf outing to benefit the Les Turner ALS Foundation. Friends from different areas of my life joined together to plan the inaugural event, which raised $100,000. The event has grown, and is always an ideal opportunity for me to see friends and family who I would otherwise not see. It’s truly one of my favorite days of the year."

The Matt Creen Golf Outing has raised more than $450,000 for the Les Turner ALS Foundation, a release states. The event is supported by friends and family as well as colleagues from Currie Motors Group where Matt served as General Counsel for 20 years.

"It’s an honor for us at the foundation to be a small part of helping Matt and his family in their journey with ALS," Andrea Pauls Backman, CEO of the Les Turner ALS Foundation, said in a release. "Matt has chosen to take a devastating diagnosis and turn it in to a positive journey, which is a true testament to his character. We often see much the same character from people living with ALS and their families. Matt’s positive outlook, tenacity and leadership have helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay it forward and support families just like his. We are grateful to Matt, his family and friends who are with him every step of the way."