Myzone has launched a challenge for health club operators to raise $500,000 for research to cure amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to an announcement from Myzone, Chicago.
“ALS isn’t an incurable disease; it’s an underfunded one,” Emmett Williams, president of Myzone, said in a media release. “It’s time for the industry to come together and provide hope to all those suffering from ALS.”
Myzone has partnered with Augie’s Quest for The Augie’s Quest Myzone Challenge, which will help fund the introduction at AT-1501 for individuals who are suffering from ALS. Augie’s Quest was founded by Augie Nieto and his wife Lynne after Augie, the co-founder of Life Fitness, was diagnosed with ALS more than 13 years ago.
All health and fitness facilities looking to participate in the challenge, which takes place May 1- June 18, can register through the Myzone Challenge Portal. Members at a facility with a Myzone belt will be asked to donate $15.01 to join the challenge, while members without a Myzone belt will need to purchase a Myzone physical activity belt as well as donate. Once members have achieved 1501 MEPs (Myzone effort points) in the challenge, they will be entered into a pool to win prizes from companies such as Precor, Total Gym Fitness equipment as well as vacation packages.
The Augie’s Quest Myzone Challenge provides all the tools and administration assets required to participate in the challenge. All proceeds generated from the challenge will help fund the introduction of AT-1501 for individuals suffering from ALS.
According to the ALS Therapy Institute, which is the group doing the AT-1501 research: “The development of AT-1501, a novel antibody which acts in a highly targeted, disease specific way to tamp down the immune system, is now ready for clinical translation. Developed at the ALS Therapy Development Institute, this potential therapeutic has been screened in more preclinical efficacy experiments than any other compound proposed in the history of the battle to end ALS.”
The Atlantic Club, Manasquan, New Jersey, which helped to spearhead previous fundraising efforts for ALS research, has taken up the Myzone challenge.
“Now is the time to get involved,” said Kevin McHugh, COO of The Atlantic Club. “The Augie’s Quest Myzone Challenge is all about AT-1501 and our industry uniting as one to provide hope to all those suffering from ALS.”
McHugh said in an email to Club Industry that the Myzone team has “put together the makings of what could be the most successful industry/supplier, club and member program that has us all working as one to provide hope for those in need. This could be the start of other great things to come. That is what we do… we give our members and those who we also touch hope and support.”
Club operators and users participating in the challenge are encouraged to share their workout and support for the cause using #1501ForALS. For more information, check out myzone.org/1501-club.