The "Knock ALS Out Of The Park" Charity Wiffleball Tournament was founded in 2013 by John Cronin.
Upon finding out that family relative was diagnosed with ALS, John was inspired by baseball's connection to ALS and his love of wiffleball to organize a charity tournament with all proceeds going towards The ALS Association MN/ND/SD Chapter.
More than 30,000 Americans are living with ALS, and hundreds of thousands more family members, friends, neighbors, and colleagues are directly impacted. Beyond the emotional and physical effects of this disease are its significant financial implications. The costs of living with ALS are real:
You may recall the wildly successful ALS Ice Bucket Challenge fundraiser that began in the summer of 2014. It raised over $200 million worldwide. It would take 10-20 more fundraisers like that to bring ONE drug to market to treat ALS.
Upon finding out that family relative was diagnosed with ALS, John was inspired by baseball's connection to ALS and his love of wiffleball to organize a charity tournament with all proceeds going towards The ALS Association MN/ND/SD Chapter.
More than 30,000 Americans are living with ALS, and hundreds of thousands more family members, friends, neighbors, and colleagues are directly impacted. Beyond the emotional and physical effects of this disease are its significant financial implications. The costs of living with ALS are real:
- Respite care programs offer relief for ALS caregivers to accomplish tasks like running errands and house work, or simply to rest. Three hours of professional respite care costs $100.
- Assistive equipment like shower chairs ($80), electric lift chairs ($1,200), and hospital beds ($2,500) increase independence and improve quality of life.
- Mobility equipment including manual wheelchairs ($1,300), mobility scooters ($1,200), and four-wheeled walkers ($250) are required at different stages of the disease progression. Equipment costs add up quickly.
- Communication devices. Assistive technology such as voice amplifiers ($250), tablets with speech applications ($600), and advanced eye-gaze mounts ($18,000) become necessary for people living with ALS to communicate effectively.
You may recall the wildly successful ALS Ice Bucket Challenge fundraiser that began in the summer of 2014. It raised over $200 million worldwide. It would take 10-20 more fundraisers like that to bring ONE drug to market to treat ALS.
Our Inspirations
Michael Brandt, age 51, of Eden Prairie, MN died peacefully on Friday, January 17, 2013, from complications of ALS. From the time he was diagnosed in spring 2011, Michael dedicated himself to raising money to support research for a cure and heightening public awareness of the disease. He was honored to present the Lou Gehrig’s speech at Target Field for 3 years. With the support of family, friends, and colleagues around the world, he spearheaded an ALS fund raising campaign that generated over $250,000 in 2 years. Never a complaining word…just motivated to make a difference.
Let’s join him and keep the awareness and fund raising going! ALS patients and families need our support…be part of the cure!
ALS did not stop him from participating in anything...let's not let anything stop us from making a difference too!
Steve Lufkin
Steve is a kind, caring, respectful and considerate man of deep faith. He’s a devoted husband and father, and a dedicated teacher at Henry Sibley High School. Most everything he does serves others, touching countless lives as a mentor, an advocate, a teammate and a friend. Steve Lufkin is an incredible man, and he’s facing an enormous challenge in his battle with ALS.