Major League Baseball today announced its support of The ALS Association's new ALS Home Health Initiative by launching the MLB Fights ALS campaign, a league-wide fundraising effort set for August 1st-5th. The campaign will be promoted in ballparks and by MLB's media assets, including MLB.com, the Club websites and MLB Network, as well as via YouCaring.com. Beginning with an initial $50,000 contribution from Major League Baseball, the effort will seek to generate additional funds for the Home Health Initiative's mission of providing in-home care to individuals and families affected by Lou Gehrig's Disease.
The ALS Home Health Initiative and the MLB Fights ALS campaign (#MLBFightsALS) were inspired by Pete Frates, a standout Boston College baseball player diagnosed with ALS in 2012 and the driving force behind the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. The campaign, which has an initial goal to raise $1 million, is in honor of Pete, fellow members of the baseball family and fans who are battling the disease. Since 2014, August has become a signature month for increasing ALS awareness and fundraising devoted to finding a cure. A wave of fundraising spurred by the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in 2014 led to new discoveries that have advanced the search for treatments and a cure. Now, The ALS Association is addressing the issue of the high costs of home health care for people living with ALS. After walking away from baseball because of his ALS, Gehrig spent the last two years of his life in his home. The ALS Home Health Initiative will augment caregiver support through financial grants, which may cover skilled nursing and/or custodial care to enable a person living with ALS to continue to reside in their home while having their care needs met.
Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. said: "Because of Lou Gehrig, Baseball has long had a connection to the fight against ALS. In his memory, we are proud to assist ALS patients and families in carrying the enormous financial burden of living with the disease that bears his name. We encourage our fans to join us in helping ALS patients receive the best care possible."
This effort marks the league's first endeavor of its kind with YouCaring.com, the leader in free online fundraising for personal and medical causes and a Certified B Corporation, which was recently named the Preferred Crowdfunding Platform of Major League Baseball. Fans can support MLB Fights ALS by visiting MLB.com/ForPetesSake. Donors who make a gift of $50 or more to the cause between August 1st-5th will be entered to win two tickets to a 2017 World Series game.