$2.1
MILLION FOR SECOND ANNUAL BASH
Fitness Pioneer
Humbled by Industry Support
TUCSON, Ariz., April 3, 2007 —
The Second Annual Black & Blue Bash
for Augie’s Quest, a fund-raising
gala created by fitness industry pioneer
Augie Nieto, raised $2.1 million to
combat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease).
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Lynne and Augie Nieto onstage at the BASH 2007 |
The Bash, held Friday, March 30, at
the San Francisco Marriott, drew more
than 1,000 participants and exceeded
organizers’ expectations.
The funds are earmarked for the Muscular
Dystrophy Association’s ALS Division,
which leads the worldwide scientific
search for treatments and a cure for
ALS. The devastating neuromuscular disease
affects more than 30,000 Americans.
Nieto, 49, received a diagnosis of
ALS in March 2005. He is co-founder
and former president of Life Fitness,
and chairman of Octane Fitness. He and
his wife, Lynne, serve as co-chairpersons
of MDA’s ALS Division.
“It was another memorable night
in our fight against this disease,”
Nieto said of the Bash. “This
industry has been overwhelmingly generous
to me, and their contributions will
move vital scientific research into
clinical trials as quickly as possible.”
To date, the Augie’s Quest campaign
has raised more than $9.5 million for
ALS research.
The Bash was highlighted by an appearance
by best-selling author Mitch Albom,
and entertainment by John Ondrasik of
the band Five for Fighting.
Auctions of dozens of prizes, including
cruises, trips and tickets and accommodations
to the 2008 Summer Olympic games in
Beijing, added to the proceeds from
ticket sales. A one week stay at a private
mansion in Hawaii brought in $27,500,
and opportunity to participate in a
weightless flight with physicist Stephen
Hawking went for $30,000.
Held in conjunction with the International
Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association’s
International Convention and Trade Show,
the Bash was co-sponsored by several
leading fitness businesses.
Last year’s Bash, held in Las
Vegas, raised a record $2.8 million,
the most for any single event aimed
at fighting ALS.
ALS destroys the nerve cells controlling
muscles, ultimately causing complete
paralysis while leaving mental function
intact. Survival is typically two to
five years after diagnosis. The cause
of ALS isn’t fully understood,
and no cure exists.
For more information about MDA's ALS
Division, visit www.als-mda.org,
and for more information about Augie's
Quest, visit www.augiesquest.org.
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