Join Celebrities in the Fight Against ALS

Most people remember baseball-great Lou Gehrig, and if not they at least recognize the name of the loveable New York Yankee whose game ended all too early. Today this American sports hero’s name is sadly most often associated with Lou Gehrig’s disease, the degenerative disease which ended Gehrig’s baseball career and which he died of shortly before his 38th birthday. Despite how much this crippling illness took from Gehrig, this self-proclaimed “luckiest man on the face of the earth” gave so much to its victims by raising awareness. And on Monday, June 4, 2007 the Greater Los Angeles chapter of the ALS Association, along with many entertainment heavyweights, will unite to raise awareness and funds once again for the fight against ALS.

ALS stands for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) and is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with currently no known cause or cure. As such the mission of the ALS Association is to make living easier for patients and their families while research is being done by the ALS association as well as other organizations.
ALS is still a crisis today. Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS and every 90 minutes someone dies of ALS. Military veterans are especially prone to contracting the disease and California is home to a disproportionately large number of veterans. 150,000 people living in the US today will die of ALS and 20,000 of them live in California. When these brave men and women return from fighting for our freedom, many may have another battle ahead of them and the goal of The ALS Association is to be there to help them.
The ALS Association, Greater Los Angeles Chapter is the only non-profit health organization dedicated solely to providing patient services to persons with ALS and their families throughout Los Angeles, Kern, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties.  The Chapter charges no fees for its services and will never turn away a PALS (person with ALS) or family in need.
Though they cannot yet offer patients a cure the association strives to provide movement to those who have lost the ability to walk, communication to those who have lost the ability to speak, support to those who have lost the ability to cope and a voice in this fight.
The fundraiser will feature a performance of George Gershwin Alone directed by Joel Zwick which has garnered critical acclaim both on Broadway and London’s West End. George Gershwin Alone is a riveting and insightful tale that follows the life story of acclaimed composer George Gershwin, played to perfection by renowned concert pianist, actor and playwright Hershey Felder, who also penned the play.
The red-carpet event promises to be a star-studded event with many celebrities attending to show their support in the fight against ALS. Special guests include Tom Hanks, Brad Garrett, Alan Rosenberg , Marg Helgenberger, Gordon Clapp, Sherri and Michael Crichton, Kate and Ron Linder, Emily Proctor, Eric Lowen, Dan Navarro, Kim Campbell (former Prime Minister of Canada), Candice Zwick and more.
When: Monday, June 4, 2007 6:30 pm
Where: Geffen Playhouse
Pre-Show reception and Orchestra seats: $250
Pre-Show reception and Mezzanine seats: $150
Red Carpet Arrivals and Pre Show reception begin at 6:30 pm, Curtain is at 8:00 pm.
www.alsala.org