In support of Augie’s Quest, LA Fitness announced plans to host its seventh annual in-club event, Action for ALS, across the company’s over 690 locations on Saturday, February 25, 2017. Augie’s Quest is a nonprofit research initiative dedicated to finding a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

LA Fitness will donate 100% of the proceeds from the event to Augie’s Quest, which directly funds the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI). ALS, a debilitating neurodegenerative disease, is diagnosed in approximately 6,000 people per year. Survival is typically three to five years after diagnosis, and no cure currently exists for the disease.

In March 2005, Augie Nieto, a prominent leader in the fitness industry, was diagnosed with ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Despite the limitations of the disease, Augie continues to lead an active life and serve as an activist for others fighting the disease. After his diagnosis, Augie coped with his illness by drawing strength from his family, friends and a flood of messages from supporters. Realizing that he could use his voice to raise awareness for others, Augie formed “Augie’s Quest” with the sole purpose of finding a cure for ALS.

“We are so grateful for the $260,450 that LA Fitness has raised for ALS research over the years. That money is making a huge impact in the lab, leading to the identification of AT-1501, a promising treatment for ALS. With the continued support of LA Fitness and their members, we are confident we can get this drug into Phase 2 clinical trials next year,” said Augie Nieto, Chief Inspiration Officer of Augie’s Quest. “We appreciate all that LA Fitness does to increase awareness and give hope to families affected by this devastating disease.”

“We don’t want any barriers to stand in the way of maximizing our companywide fundraising efforts for this worthy cause, so we invite members and non-members alike to attend this event. We also want to mention how proud we are of our members’ participation and how thankful we are for their generous support,” said Bill Horner, Senior Vice President/Chief Real Estate Officer at LA Fitness.

The event is open to the public for a minimum donation of $20 in support of Augie’s Quest. For details on the event or how to make a donation, visit www.LAFitnesscares.com.

About LA Fitness

LA Fitness is one of the fastest growing health club chains in the U.S. and presently has more than 690 locations in 32 states and Canada. Its mission is to help as many people as possible achieve the benefits of a healthy lifestyle by creating a nationwide network of health clubs, offering its members the widest range of amenities and the friendliest service at an affordable price.

About Augie’s Quest

Augie Nieto created Augie’s Quest following his diagnosis of ALS in March 2005. Nieto is co-founder and former president of Life Fitness of Chicago, and chairman of Octane Fitness. Augie’s Quest directly funds the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI), the world’s foremost drug discovery center focused solely on finding a cure for ALS. For more information on Augie’s Quest and to get involved, visit www.augiesquest.org.