Pickleball Fights ALS Through Fundraising: The Acing ALS Hickory 2024 Pickleball Clinic and Tournament, scheduled for September 7, is set to merge the joy of pickleball with a crucial cause: raising funds for ALS research. Held at the Lake Hickory Country Club, the event aspires to generate $20,000 to support the ALS Therapy Development Institute. This event will feature a clinic for beginners and advanced players and a competitive tournament, aiming to foster community spirit while advancing research into ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
ALS and Its Impact
ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a progressive neurological disorder that targets motor neurons, gradually impairing movement and respiratory functions while preserving cognitive abilities. Formerly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS remains a significant focus of medical research due to its devastating impact on quality of life.
Personal Connections Drive the Effort
Rebecca Wetzel, a committee member for the event, has a deeply personal connection to ALS. “Finding a cure for ALS is important to me because I have lost both my grandfather and dad to ALS,” Wetzel shared. “My aunt is also fighting FTD (frontotemporal dementia) and ALS right now.” Another committee member, Ryan Lovern, echoed a similar sentiment. “He unfortunately is not here to see the promise of finding a cure in his lifetime,” Lovern said. “I believe that ALS is underfunded, not incurable, which is why I choose to raise money for ALS research.”
Event Details
- 8:00 a.m.: Arrival with coffee and light refreshments
- 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: Pickleball clinic
- 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Pickleball tournament
- 11:00 a.m.: Lunch
- 1:15 p.m.: Awards and raffle winners announced
- Spectator Tickets: $40
- Pickleball Clinic Lesson: $100
- Tournament Team Entry: $200
- Sponsorships: $500 – $2,000
- Registration: fundraise.als.net/acingalshickory2024
Looking Ahead
Following the success of the previous Acing ALS Hickory event in 2022, which raised $21,411, Wetzel expressed hopes for a biennial tradition. “We hope to have an Acing ALS Hickory event every other year,” Wetzel said.
News in Brief: Pickleball Fights ALS Through Fundraising
The Acing ALS Hickory 2024 Pickleball Clinic and Tournament aims to raise $20,000 for ALS research. Scheduled for September 7 at Lake Hickory Country Club, the event includes a clinic, tournament, and various activities starting at 8 a.m. Rebecca Wetzel and Ryan Lovern, committee members, are motivated by personal losses to ALS and advocate for increased funding. Spectator tickets cost $40, while clinic lessons are $100 and tournament team entries are $200. Sponsorships range from $500 to $2,000. Registration is available at fundraise.als.net/acingalshickory2024.
