ALS Association teams with Buffalo Bisons to 'Strike Out Lou Gehrig's Disease'

The ALS Association Upstate New York Chapter is teaming up with the Buffalo Bisons to honor people living with Lou Gehrig's Disease. "Strike Out Lou Gehrig's Disease" will take place on June 26 at The Coca-Cola Field, home of the Buffalo Bisons.

Baseball and ALS have been connected ever since Lou Gehrig stood on the field at Yankee Stadium in 1939 and declared that "Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth." This event is a way to not only to raise awareness of the impact ALS has on a community, but to also to say 'thank you' to friends and family members who are affected by this devastating disease and fundraise to find a cure.

The local chapter and team also will use this opportunity to promote the 2012 Buffalo Walk to Defeat ALS, which is Aug. 4 in Delaware Park. The Walk to Defeat ALS is the ALS Association's national signature event. Each year, thousands of people, including ALS patients, families, friends and corporate leaders, join together to raise thousands of dollars in support of the ALS Association's cutting-edge research and community-based patient services programs.

The "Strike Out" event will include a number of activities:

• In the days leading up to the game, fans are encouraged to visit www.alsaupstateny.org to purchase special tickets for the June 26 game. Of every ticket sold, $5 will be donated to The ALS Association, Upstate New York Chapter.

• The first 450 fans entering the ballpark will receive camouflage-colored foam baseballs to honor military heroes who are diagnosed with ALS.

• Join in as organizers honor ALS Heroes as they throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

• Staff can help ALS patients register for the National ALS Registry, a nationwide research project that may help scientists learn what causes ALS, why veterans are at a greater risk, and ultimately help find a treatment for ALS, which is fatal in an average of two to five years.

• The Upstate New York Chapter staff will be on hand to answer questions about ALS. Meet the care services coordinator for Western New York, Becky Colville.

The ALS Association is an official charity partner of Minor League Baseball. The mission of The ALS Association is to lead the fight to cure and treat ALS through global cutting-edge research, and to empower people with Lou Gehrig's Disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support.

For more information or to learn about local services, visit The ALS Association, Upstate New York Chapter, online at www.alsaupstateny.org or call 866-499-7257.