A's outfielder Stephen Piscotty will provide added significance to this weekend’s Bay Bridge Series by hosting a virtual fundraiser to support amyotrophic lateral syndrome (ALS) research.
Featured events during the benefit include celebrity beer, wine and whiskey tastings, as well as a silent auction featuring various items of sports memorabilia, vacation packages and specialty and collector wines.
Proceeds benefit the ALS Cure Project, a nonprofit organization founded by Piscotty and his father, Mike. Gretchen Piscotty, Stephen’s mother and Mike’s wife, died of ALS in May, 2018.
“We don’t know why ALS starts and progresses. We can only cure what we understand, and unfortunately, there is no test for ALS, which is the diagnosis after you test negative for all other neurodegenerative diseases,” Mike Piscotty said in a statement. “This is unacceptable.”
A’s broadcasters Ray Fosse and Vince Cotroneo and former Giants left-handers Jeremy Affeldt and Dave Dravecky also are donating time toward the event. Affeldt explained that a close friend of his has been stricken by ALS.
“He was a physically fit, vibrant, competitive triathlete, in perfect health,” Affeldt said. “Now, he is unable to swallow or talk. I will do anything to help him and others with this awful disease.”
The event will take place online at alscure.net/alsbay and is being presented by Evergood Foods. It opens Friday at 5:30 p.m. PT with a virtual pregame tailgate and craft beer tasting featuring Mike Piscotty and Fosse.
For more event information and to purchase tasting packages, visit the event link above.