Orangetheory Fitness Begins Quest to Raise $1 Million in Two Weeks to Find a Cure for ALS
Posted: February 15, 2017 in Chains
Orangetheory Fitness
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Orangetheory Fitness, the scientifically backed and fast-growing fitness franchise, announced it has partnered with Augie’s Quest, a foundation dedicated to finding a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease, with the goal of raising $1 million in two weeks. The company’s first national fundraiser, named the #IBurnForALS campaign, will take place from February 20 to March 5. During the 2-week period, more than 570 Orangetheory Fitness studios around the country will encourage members to donate money to support Orangetheory’s quest to reach $1 million. All money raised will be donated to Augie’s Quest in support of ALS research.
The #IBurnForALS fundraising campaign will consist of Orangetheory Fitness coaches challenging participants in each class during the two week period to donate at least $1 per splat point achieved. Splat points are attained for every minute a participant spends in the ‘orange zone,’ which is their target-training zone of 84 percent to 91 percent of their heart rate. The orange zone stimulates metabolism and increases energy. In addition, on Saturday, February 25, Orangetheory will host Augie-thon, a specialty donation session at every studio. Augie-thon is a unique 90-minute Orangetheory class that members and non-members can attend for a donation of $20. The first 45 participants at each studio will receive a special black or orange sweatband.
“ALS is not an incurable disease; it’s an underfunded one, and we hope to change that,” said Dave Long, co-founder and chief executive officer of Orangetheory Fitness. “We’re honored to be partnering with Augie’s Quest in the fight against ALS. Augie Nieto has a long-standing relationship with the fitness industry, so the partnership was an obvious choice for us. We are confident that the dedicated members of our Orange Nation will help us hit our goal of raising $1 million in support of ALS research.”
Augie’s Quest was co-founded by Augie Nieto and his wife, Lynne. Nieto is known for his role in shaping today’s fitness world as the co-founder and CEO of Life Fitness, Lifecycle and Octane Fitness. He was diagnosed with ALS in 2005 and has been dedicated to finding treatments and cures for the disease ever since through events, partnerships and fundraising activities around the globe. 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. The Institute’s innovative science and cutting edge approach has resulted in the identification of AT-1501, a promising treatment for ALS. ALS TDI also pioneered the ALS Precision Medicine Program, the world’s premier program and partnership with ALS patients to discover additional potential treatments.
“I refuse to stop burning in my quest to find a cure for ALS and encourage all Orangetheory members and non-members alike to join our #IBurnForALS campaign,” said Nieto, the Chief Inspiration Officer for Augie’s Quest and Chairman of the Board for the ALS Therapy Development Institute. “Together with Orangetheory Fitness, I am confident that we can reach our goal in support of those awaiting treatment and a cure.”
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a disorder that affects the function of nerves and muscles. More than 6,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year. The life expectancy of a person with ALS averages two to five years from the time of diagnosis, however there is evidence that people with ALS are living longer, at least partially due to clinical management interventions, riluzole and other compounds and drugs under investigation.
