LA Fitness’ Annual ‘Action for ALS’ to Raise Money for Augie’s Quest Set for Feb. 27

Margarida Azevedo, MSc avatar

by Margarida Azevedo, MSc |

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LA Fitness

LA Fitness, one of the fastest growing health club chains in the U.S., announced that it will host “Action for ALS” in support of Augie’s Quest at more than 650 of its clubs on  Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. Anyone donating at least $20 that day, whether or not a member, can take a fitness class at the participating clubs.

Augie’s Quest aims to fund research and drug development to end amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Since 2007, it has raised over $44 million through a series of special and annual events to support work into effective ALS treatments, making Augie’s Quest the largest individual fundraising program for ALS.

This is the sixth year LA Fitness has held the event, with all proceeds going to the research initiative.

Augie Nieto, the co-founder and former president of Life Fitness of Chicago, a leader in the fitness industry, was diagnosed with ALS in March 2005. Despite the restraints caused by the disease, he continues to lead an active life and aid others in the fight against the disease. He founded Augie’s Quest to use his experience and his connections to raise awareness and push for a cure, especially by encouraging research that identifies the disease’s genetic basis.

“By opening these classes to guests as well as members, it is our hope to maximize the donations this annual event raises for this important cause. We invite and encourage all those wanting to enjoy a great class in a great club for a very worthy cause to join us at our clubs on Saturday, February 27th,” Bill Horner, senior vice president/chief real estate officer at LA Fitness, said in a press release.

“For six years, the leadership at LA Fitness has led by example, raising over $200,000 for ALS Research. It’s my hope that their members and guests in the community will come together to follow their lead and make an impact in our search for a cure. No family should have to live with ALS. We are incredibly grateful that LA Fitness continues to support our Quest,” Mr. Nieto said.

LA Fitness also published a video interview with Chris Mehess, a fitness activist in his early 50s who was diagnosed with ALS in 2015.

More information on the “Action for ALS” event, including how to make a contribution, can be found at www.LAFitnessCares.com.