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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThis inspired his daughter, Holly Ennis Proctor, to take action. While accompanying her father to the Emory MDA\/ALS clinic, Holly found herself looking for ways to make a difference. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI met someone in the clinic where my dad was seeing Dr. Glass,\u201d Holly recalled. \u201cI was talking with the staff about finding anything I could do to help with ALS or the clinic, and a fewdays later, an MDA member reached out about fundraising. And then the Night of Hope Gala was created.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2006, the family held the first annual Muscular Dystrophy Association Night of Hope Gala. They wanted to raise both awareness and funds to support the research and ensure that people living with ALS knew they weren\u2019t alone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Night of Hope Gala is an annual tradition that continues to honor his father\u2019s memory and raise millions for ALS research. Held at the Intercontinental Buckhead in Atlanta, this event draws over 500 guests for an evening of celebration, auctions, inspiring speeches, and, most importantly \u2014 hope. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every year, Jordan and his family present the Steve Ennis Hope Award to an individual who has dedicated themselves to raising awareness of ALS and money to support its research. The gala has raised over $12 million in its 18-year history. But Jordan believes the funds raised are just a by-product of communities banding together and supporting others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The impact of ALS started to make waves in communities across the country, particularly when the Ice Bucket Challenge went viral in 2014. In three short months, it raised over $230 million for ALS research, shining a spotlight on the disease that had long been overlooked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For Jordan, the connection to ALS became even more personal when he met former Alabama fullback and NFL player Kevin Turner and former Alabama tailback and NFL player Kerry Goode \u2014 two men whose lives were forever changed by ALS and whose friendship heavily influenced Jordan\u2019s ALS advocacy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Turner and Jordan first met in 2011 through a mutual acquaintance, and the two hit it off immediately. They both spent their time raising awareness and funds for ALS, and over the next few years, they attended several fundraisers together, becoming close friends. Turner, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2010, was already an outspoken advocate for the disease, having dedicated himself to helping others facing similar struggles.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt was that meeting that really, looking back, is what inspired me to help people navigate this journey,\u201d Jordan explained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Goode, on the other hand, became part of Jordan\u2019s circle after publicly announcing his own ALS diagnosis in August 2015. Goode, a former all-star at Alabama and player and strength and conditioning coach in the NFL for about 10 years, was a powerhouse who was well-known for his athleticism. But one day, he noticed something wasn\u2019t right. Goode explained in a news release that he couldn\u2019t even pick up a box that wasn\u2019t heavy, and that made him realize something was wrong. Six months later, he was diagnosed with ALS. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When Jordan learned of Goode\u2019s diagnosis, he knew he had to reach out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI called him to discuss the ALS journey and, most importantly, to let him know that he was not alone in this fight. I invited him and his wife, Tanja, to attend our Night of Hope event that year which was in a couple of months as our guests and sit at our table. And they haven\u2019t missed one since. He is another truly inspirational person.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n While ALS remains a tough challenge with no clear cure in sight, Jordan has seen firsthand the difference that ongoing support, research, and awareness can make. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOne thing we are working hard to do is make the disease more livable and easier for people that are paralyzed in their own body to communicate with their eyes.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to working with the Night of Hope Gala, he\u2019s also a sought-after speaker who shares his story and encourages others to remain hopeful during life\u2019s tragedies. Between speaking at corporate events, helping others organize ALS fundraisers, or supporting other causes, Jordan\u2019s heart for giving back is undeniable. He\u2019s an advocate for ALS and for anyone experiencing adversity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAlways, always look at the positives that can come out of any situation,” Jordan said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n “It may be tough to find sometimes, and it may take quite a while but work hard to try and find it because it can make a profound difference in your life and the lives of others around you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When Jordan reflects on his father\u2019s life and example, it\u2019s evident that the lesson his father instilled in him \u2014 never give up, always stay positive \u2014 is a way of life. Through the Night of Hope Gala and his numerous other efforts, Jordan is living out those lessons every single day. GN <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" IN JULY 2005, Jordan Ennis and his family\u2019s lives changed with an unexpected diagnosis. His father, Steve Ennis, whom everyone knew for his fortitude and encouraging words, had been struggling with a series of troubling symptoms. But when doctors finally gave him the devastating diagnosis of ALS, they were left to face the harsh reality […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":23815,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23811","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/tullahoma\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/04\/DSC00052-1024x683.jpg\")
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