Austin Bar Hosts Fundraiser to Fight Lou Gehrig's Disease

AUSTIN, TX - The Austin Bar Association will host an event to combat a currently incurable disease Thursday, August 2, on behalf of two of the association's members:

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) -- better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease -- is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, and eventually kills victims two to five years after diagnosis. These years are met with significant costs for medical care, equipment and home health care. Two members of the Austin Bar Association have been dramatically affected by this disease in the past year and this event is being held on their behalf: Assistant City Attorney Nancy Matchus and Austin attorney Michele Morgan.

The Bar's goal is to not only raise funds for the Morgan family and ALS Association, but to bring attention to a disease that strikes 5,600 people per year in the U.S. and affects hundreds more family and friends surrounding them.

Guests are encouraged to make a donation of $20 at the door, and will enjoy appetizers by Castle Hill and ice cream from Blue Bell, as well as beverages. There will also be both a live and silent auction featuring autographed sports memorabilia from Vince Young, Lance Armstrong, and Nolan Ryan, to name a few. All donations and proceeds from the auction will be split evenly between the Morgan family and ALS Association.

The Austin Bar Association, a nonprofit, voluntary association operated for charitable and educational purposes, represents approximately 3,900 attorneys in the Austin area.