Phillies to raise funds for ALS Awareness Night on Monday

For almost four decades, the Phillies have teamed up with The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter to #StrikeOutALS, raising over $21 million in funds for patient services and research, along with awareness for the cause. On Monday, June 5, the club’s longtime efforts will continue during ALS Awareness Night presented by Cytokinetics, where they will recognize Lou Gehrig Day and aim to beat last year’s record of raising $344,000 to help those battling this always-fatal disease. Note: MLB’s league-wide Lou Gehrig Day will be on June 2.

The team will honor the legacy of Lou Gehrig, as well as the tireless work of The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter and its Board Chair Emeritus Ellyn Phillips, who lost her husband to ALS in 1984.

“The mission to strike out ALS is a very important one to the Phillies,” said Phillies Charities, Inc. President John Weber. “For almost four decades, we have had the honor and privilege of meeting so many brave individuals who courageously battled this horrible disease. Through this event, we hope to do all that we can to help families affected by ALS, as we join MLB in the league-wide initiative.”

“Since 1984, the Philadelphia Phillies have led the fight to Strike Out ALS and to honor the legacy of Lou Gehrig,” said Phillips. “This money raised by the Phillies organization and their fans will directly benefit vital care programs for ALS families and get us closer to a cure. Thank you to the Phillies for your unparalleled commitment to the ALS cause.”

PHILLIES ALS AWARENESS NIGHT PRESENTED BY CYTOKINETICS HIGHLIGHTS

-- Starting at 6:15 p.m., there will be an on-field tribute that will recognize several patients who are battling ALS:

• Eric Brunner, 36, a huge Phillies fan and season ticket holder who lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Allie and 6-year-old son, Logan; Eric proudly attended World Series games in 2008, 2009 and 2022.
• John Metts, 62, has five children and lives in Darby, Pa., with his wife, Anethia, and was a former councilman in Delaware County.
• Holly Tomkovicz, 54, lives in Yardley, Pa., with her husband, Mark, and has three children: Hannah, Willow and Daniel. All are big supporters of the The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter and the Walk to Defeat ALS Philadelphia.

Also taking part will be ESPN Senior Writer Tim Kurkjian, whose brother has ALS, and who reached out to the Phillies to help bring awareness to the cause. In addition, Cytokinetics will make a $5,000 contribution to The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter, as well as donate a ceremonial first pitch and their suite to ALS patients.

• There will be a ceremonial base change by patient Stephanie Kemezis, 44, and her three children, Brayden, Tyler and Avery, at the end of the third inning. A resident of North Wales, Pa., Stephanie was a teacher before her diagnosis.
• ALS patients and their caregivers will dance with the Phillie Phanatic at the end of the fifth and seventh innings, and Phillies alumni will visit their suite during the game.
• An ALS Awareness Phillies Theme Night Ticket presented by Cytokinetics for the June 5 game is available for fans, with $4 per ticket going back to the cause.
• Phillies Grab Bags, which include autographed Phillies memorabilia and giveaways, will be available to purchase for $30 each at the First Base and Third Base entrance plazas.
• Fans can participate in the Phillies Charities, Inc. 50/50 Drawing, with proceeds benefiting The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter.
• Unique memorabilia and experiences are available to bid online at Phillies.com/lougehrigauction through June 5. Proceeds benefit The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter.
• Fans coming to the game will receive an ALS Awareness Night commemorative handout, highlighting The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter cause.