On March 15, 2019, fitness professionals from across the globe gathered at the 14th annual BASH in support of Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS in San Diego, California.
The event raised close to $1.9 million for the organization’s efforts to fast-track effective treatments and an ultimate cure for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Augie’s Quest was founded by Augie and Lynne Nieto, after Augie was diagnosed with ALS in 2005.
“ALS is not an incurable disease, it is underfunded,” said Kevin McHugh, the COO of The Atlantic Club. “We are all working to provide the funds that will bring more medical breakthroughs in the future. Due to everyone’s hard work in the industry with all of the Augie’s Quest events, we now have the AT-1501 drug in human trials, and more in the pipeline.”
To keep the momentum going after the BASH, health clubs nationwide are invited to participate in TEAMQUEST4ALS, a fundraising arm of Augie’s Quest.
TEAMQUEST4ALS has been working with the Augie’s Quest team, as well as The Rock and Roll Half Marathon series, to conduct events in cities across the U.S., where club staff and members can participate in The Rock and Roll Half Marathons. Current partners include The Atlantic Club, Newtown Athletic Club, Club Greenwood, and Stone Creek Club & Spa.
“The goal of TEAMQUEST4ALS is to involve clubs and their members in a fundraising effort that ties into personal challenges that involve their fitness levels,” explained McHugh. “Most of the individuals who participate are doing their first half marathon. The expressions on the finishers’ faces and their ability to know they beat their challenge in an area they may never have thought possible has been very rewarding. Since the initial event, we have conducted events in Philadelphia, Denver, New Orleans, Las Vegas, and now Nashville in April 2019.”
According to McHugh, the goal is to raise $500,000 by April 2019, which will bring the total amount of dollars raised by TEAMQUEST4ALS to close to $2 million. All funds raised as a part of TEAMQUEST4ALS go directly to the ALSTDI Research Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
“Augie’s Quest is such an important cause for many reasons,” continued McHugh. “First, we know Augie and his history and passion for the industry. Second and most importantly, Augie has shown us clearly that this is a disease we can cure and eventually eliminate, with the right levels of support. Thirdly, we give hope to those living with ALS. We are all confident we will have a cure because of all of our efforts, as well as the great work at the ALSTDI Research Center, in the not too distant future. The time is now.”
Clubs can get involved in future TEAMQUEST4ALS events by contacting Angel Moser, who oversees the TEAMQUEST4ALS events at Augie’s Quest, at angel@augiesquest.org.
Or to supports this year’s teams with a monetary donation, click here.
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
