Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS) Benefit Concert Set For Feb. 11 In San Diego

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- With a message of hope leading the way, singers from across the U.S. will join together to participate in the first-ever "Striking A Chord" concert, an ALS Association of San Diego benefit set for Feb. 11. In addition, an online auction of a wide range of donated items was kicked off today to bolster the event's fundraising efforts.

The benefit concert is the idea of 12-year-old Megan Spector, a Carmel Valley Middle School student and performer in San Diego theatre productions since the age of five, whose aunt, Marjie Block, was diagnosed with ALS approximately three years ago. Megan has reached out to the local San Diego music community and beyond and received a welcomed response from exceptional singers who plan on participating. Hosted by Emmy Award-winning theater critic and arts writer Pat Launer, the event will feature performers with experience from local, touring and Broadway productions. Jason Chase, who has directed numerous productions in the U.S. and Europe, will serve as the music director.

To make the event an even greater success, the online auction, which is accessible at http://www.biddingforgood.com/StrikingAChordForALS, features something for everyone, from Valentines to sports enthusiasts, and everything in between. The auction will run through Feb. 5.

All proceeds from the event and auction will go to the ALS Association of San Diego.  Proceeds will support research to find a cure for this devastating disease, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, which was named after the famous New York Yankee's baseball star.

To see the first-hand impact of ALS, you can view an inspirational video about Marjie Block at www.hopeheARTbyMadison.com. It was created by Megan's cousin, Madison Silver, who is also doing all she can to help fight ALS. Unfortunately, ALS is a progressive disease, and Marjie's condition has worsened since this video was produced about a year ago. Currently there is no cure, and the life expectancy of ALS patients is a tragically short two to five years. However, Marjie is determined to win her fight with the disease.

Concert Information

The concert will be held at 7 p.m. PST on Feb. 11 at The Irwin M. Jacobs Qualcomm Hall, 5775 Morehouse Drive, in San Diego. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students, with Premiere Reserved Seating available to Angel Donors who contribute $100. Tickets may be purchased through the ALS Association of San Diego by telephone at (858) 271-5547 or online at http://web.alsa.org/strikingachord. For more information, please send an email to [email protected] or call (858) 271-5547.

About ALS

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often called Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a motor neuron disease first described in 1869 by the noted French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot. Lou Gehrig brought national and international attention to the disease in 1939, when he abruptly retired from baseball after being diagnosed with ALS. Most commonly, the disease strikes people between the ages of 40 and 70, and as many as 30,000 Americans have the disease at any given time.

The ALS Association (ALSA)

ALSA is the only national not-for-profit voluntary health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS. The mission of The ALS Association is to find a cure for and improve living with ALS.

Event Contacts:

Sheri Spector and Megan Spector
(858) 442-6667
[email protected]

Media Contacts:

Ian Stone and David Schull
Russo Partners
(619) 308-6541
(212) 845-4271
[email protected]
[email protected]

SOURCE The ALS Association