Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Impact to End ALS Continues with Fourth Annual Lou Gehrig Day at Major League Baseball Games
May 21 2024 - 9:07AM
Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is gathering its extended
community at Major League Baseball (MLB) parks across the United
States, uniting ALS families, care center staff, and partners from
organizations and corporations that are deeply invested in MDA’s
mission-driven work to end ALS. Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease
ALS took the life of the famed Yankee slugger at the age of 37.
The ALS community and teams from MLB honor Lou Gehrig Day on
June 2, marking the date when Gehrig became the Yankees'
starting first baseman, and the same date he passed away from ALS
in 1941. When MDA was founded in 1950, Gehrig’s widow, Eleanor,
sought to make a difference in the fight against the disease that
claimed her husband’s life. Her involvement with MDA helped shape
the organization’s focus on ALS, creating the field of researchers,
clinicians, and advocates committed to finding a cure. Decades of
progress are now leading to scientific breakthroughs. MDA’s
recognition of Lou Gehrig Day at 17 ballparks across the country
raises awareness and funds for its mission in support of families
living with ALS.
MDA families, volunteers, partners, advocates, and friends will
be decked out in custom jerseys to signify their admiration of Lou
Gehrig and to recognize baseball’s first ALS warriors in the public
eye. Donations to support the mission may be made at
MDA.org/EndALS, with a donation of $100 or more receive a limited
edition ‘End ALS with MDA’ baseball jersey. To learn more about
MDA's Legacy of Hope Inspired by Eleanor Gehrig's Fight Against ALS
in this video, and visit MDA.org/EndALSwithMDA.
June 2 the MDA's Let’s Play Community Celebrates Lou Gehrig
Day at San Francisco Giants vs. New York Yankees: MDA's Let's
Play is an interactive community initiative where members connect
through gaming and live streams to build camaraderie and community
for people living with neuromuscular disease. Leading up to the
event, join MDA’s special Twitch streams led by host Kenny Small,
known as “Beaniez,” featuring trivia and stories about Lou Gehrig,
discussions on ALS, and more. Engage with MDA on Discord and X for
a countdown filled with facts and insights into the significance of
the day. On June 2, experience an exclusive pre-game live stream
directly from the ballpark. Enjoy behind-the-scenes coverage,
interactive Q&A sessions, and live updates during the game. MDA
Let’s Play will also feature special segments with guests at the
game and encourage the community to participate on social media
using #LouGehrigDay and #EndALSwithMDA. MDA Let’s Play will honor
the legacy of Lou Gehrig and promote awareness about ALS and other
neuromuscular diseases.
"Since the 1950s when Eleanor Gehrig stepped into the role of
Campaign Chairman for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, we have
been catalyzing efforts to unravel the mysteries of ALS and
generating advancements in treatment. MDA is a leading funder of
ALS research worldwide and provides support for multidisciplinary
care teams across the only coast-to-coast network of clinics for
people living with ALS and other neuromuscular diseases. Our
dedication echoes the enduring legacies of Lou Gehrig and his wife,
Eleanor. We commend Major League Baseball for their steadfast
support of Lou Gehrig Day, empowering baseball enthusiasts to
contribute to ALS breakthroughs," said Donald S. Wood, PhD,
President and CEO, MDA.
MDA salutes the work of The Lou & Eleanor Gehrig Society,
led by Chairman of the Board, Dr. R. Rodney Howell (former Chairman
of MDA’s Board of Directors), alongside John Howell, President of
the Society and an MDA Board member. Mr. Howell’s late grandfather
Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, was Mr. Gehrig’s physician and came
under his care every day for his remaining two years. Their
friendship deepened, and when Mr. Gehrig’s widow Eleanor died, she
left a large portion of her estate to support the work that Dr.
Esselstyn devoted his career to, and which Mr. Gehrig came to
respect and praise: identifying policies, techniques and programs
that prevent disease. Work that MDA continues.
MDA encourages the community to share their Lou Gehrig Day
stories using #LouGehrigDay throughout the MLB team celebrations,
including the 85th Anniversary of Gehrig’s “Luckiest Man” speech on
July 4, 2024. MDA invites its community to commemorate the spirit
of this day in their own way—playing baseball, educating people
about ALS, or sharing personal thoughts on overcoming challenges to
raise awareness about ALS and celebrate Gehrig's unforgettable
impact on the world.
MDA will participate in the following MLB schedule:
- June 3 – Arizona
Diamondbacks
- June 2 – Boston Red
Sox
- June 2 – Baltimore
Orioles
- June 2 – Chicago
Cubs
- May 26 – Chicago
White Sox
- May 23 – Detroit
Tigers
- June 2 – Houston
Astros
- June 2 – Kansas City
Royals
- June 3 – Los Angeles
Angels
- June 2 – Miami
Marlins
- June 2 – Milwaukee
Brewers
- June 2 –
Philadelphia Phillies
- June 4 – Pittsburgh
Pirates
- June 2 – San
Francisco Giants
- June 11 – St. Louis
Cardinals
- June 2 – Seattle
Mariners
About MDA's work in ALS:The Muscular Dystrophy
Association (MDA) is the #1 voluntary health organization in the
United States for people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and
related neuromuscular diseases. For 74 years, MDA has led the way
in ALS research, investing over $176 million in innovations in ALS
science and care. Thanks to MDA-funded research, tremendous leaps
forward have been made in the understanding of the causes of ALS
and there are now FDA approved treatments. MDA's commitment to ALS
includes support for a network of more than 150 multidisciplinary
Care Centers at top medical institutions nationwide, including 47
designated MDA/ALS Care Centers. MDA's data hub, called MOVR, is
the first-of-its-kind data technology hub, which collects clinical
and genetic data from our network of Care Centers for neuromuscular
diseases including ALS, serving as a valuable tool for accelerating
therapy development. MDA's advocacy efforts led to the passing of
the ACT for ALS into law, which will accelerate access to treatment
for the ALS community. The advocacy continues for the ALS Better
Care Act in support of funding for multidisciplinary care. To learn
more visit mda.org and follow MDA
on Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok,
and LinkedIn, and #EndALSwithMDA.
- End ALS with Muscular Dystrophy Association
Mary Fiance, Vice President, Strategic Communications
Muscular Dystrophy Association
press@mdausa.org