Phillies Fans Raise More Than $850,000 For Lou Gehrig's Disease
By Hadas Kuznits
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Phillies hosted a fundraiser for those suffering from Lou Gehrig's Disease. Fans helped put up more than $850,000 on Thursday.
About 6,000 Phillies fans came to Citizen's Bank Park for the 23rd annual Phillies Phestival. Michele DeVicaris, manager of Phillies charity and community events says it's a fundraiser to help those suffering from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.
"Fans purchase tickets and when they come in they get autographs with some of their favorite players, photos, we have a live and silent auction, we have some games for the whole family."
The Phillies' Juan Pierre was among those signing autographs. He says baseball has been a big supporter of raising funds to eradicate this disease.
"I think Lou Gehrig, the one it's named after, brought it to the attention of a lot of people. Everybody remembers the speech, him in the Yankees uniform. And, baseball, I think, has done a great job with embracing it and helping the cause and trying to get a cure for it."
