Fitness Industry to Celebrate During IHRSA’s 13th Annual BASH for Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurodegenerative disease affecting 6,000 people every year. It steals people’s muscles, and robs them of every benefit exercise provides. That’s why for more than a decade, the fitness industry has refused to accept that fate, rallying hundreds of companies, countless professionals, staff, studio and club members and local communities to take on this disease and unifying cause.
Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS is the challenge the fitness industry once dared to accept, raised a record-breaking $3.5 million last year alone and more than $35 million total since its inception. This year’s BASH for Augie’s Quest will be in San Diego, CA on March 23, 2018 in conjunction with the IHRSA Tradeshow.
Every dollar raised via the industry directly benefits Augie’s Quest, the ALS research initiative led by Augie and Lynne Nieto on behalf of the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) in Cambridge, Mass. ALS TDI is the world’s first non-profit biotech with more than 30 scientists singularly focused on finding a cure for ALS.
Today, the fitness industry’s collective journey to change the course of ALS is also gaining momentum, with ground-breaking therapies on the horizon because of its unwavering support. Specifically, helping make it possible for ALS Therapy Development Institute to develop a promising new drug that could forever change the course of ALS. It’s called AT-1501 and is currently in the early stages of clinical trials, but needs additional investments to bring it fully to market.
“Augie Nieto is a pioneer. He once saw a world where fitness would boom, as the founder of Life Fitness, Life Cycle and Octane Fitness. And today, nearly 13 years after receiving his ALS diagnosis, he and his wife Lynne are still proving how powerful exercise can be,” says John McCarthy, Chair, BASH for Augie. “I’m so proud of the passion, care and commitment that permeates the fitness industry around this critical issue. Because we’ve come together in such an innovative way, we’re one step closer to a world where effective treatments for ALS are within reach.”
“Our partners and donors from across the fitness industry are one in a million. Their competitive spirit, generous financial support and fierce commitment as a collective industry to actively champion the health of so many people affected by ALS is driving real change and research results,” said Augie Nieto, Chief Inspiration Officer, Augie’s Quest and Chairman, ALS Therapy Development Institute. “ALS is not an incurable disease; it is an underfunded one. ALS doesn’t have a fighting chance with the fitness industry in the ring.”
This year, Augie’s Quest additional top cause sponsors include IHRSA, Orangetheory Fitness,ClubCorp, Newtown Athletic Club, The Atlantic Club, Jenny Craig, Greenwood Athletic and Tennis Club, Fitness Formula Clubs, and Club Sport – each dedicating time, talent and significant resources in meaningful and creative ways to support the fight against ALS.
About Augie’s Quest
Augie Nieto is the successful fitness industry mogul behind Lifecycle, Life Fitness, and Octane Fitness. He was diagnosed with ALS in 2005. With guidance from his wife Lynne, a team of friends, researchers, and medical experts, Augie came to understand the bleak reality that ALS lacked the critical support or widespread research needed to find treatments and cures. Augie co-founded Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS. Through events, partnerships, and fundraising activities around the globe, Augie’s Quest drives success by funding cutting edge ALS research at the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
About ALS Therapy Development Institute
The ALS Therapy Development Institute is dedicated to finding a cure for ALS. Our innovative science and cutting edge approach have resulted in a promising treatment for ALS. We also pioneered the ALS Precision Medicine Program, the world’s premier program and partnership with ALS patients to discover additional potential treatments. The ALS Therapy Development Institute and its scientists actively discover and develop treatments for ALS. We are the world’s first and largest nonprofit biotech focused 100 percent on ALS research. Led by people with ALS and drug development experts, we understand the urgent need to slow and stop this disease.
John Mickelson's Soap Box 