ALS Awareness Day

Presented by Emory Healthcare

On Sunday, June 2, the Atlanta Braves and Emory Healthcare, the official team healthcare provider of the Braves, will celebrate ALS Awareness Day to increase awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), elevate inspirational stories of hope, and honor the legacy of Lou Gehrig.

Join us pregame for a special on-field ceremony honoring Matt Olson and his recognition as a finalist for the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, given annually by Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity to a Major League Baseball player who best exemplifies the giving character of Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig. As part of the ceremony, Matt, the Atlanta Braves Foundation, Live Like Lou, and Emory Healthcare will be providing scholarships to local students impacted by ALS.

The game’s ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by Gabe Upchurch, son of longtime Braves fan Justin Upchurch. Justin, who is a patient at the Emory ALS Center, was diagnosed with ALS in 2019.

“It is a terminal illness,” says Justin. “There is no cure, but there's still life to live and there's still hope to hold on to. A lot of people don’t know what [ALS] is. It’s one of those things that until it impacts you and your family, you're almost kind of oblivious to it. So the fact that the Braves and Emory Healthcare take a day to recognize ALS and raise awareness, I think it’s hugely important.”

Discounted and group tickets for June 2 can be purchased below. $15 from each ticket purchased through this link will go to the Emory ALS Center at Emory Healthcare to fund vital research and clinical trials to help improve the health and lives of people living with ALS.

About ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly called Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells and pathways in the brain and spinal cord. When these cells die, voluntary muscle control and movement dies with them. Patients in the later stages of the disease are totally paralyzed, yet in most cases, their minds remain sharp and alert.

About Emory ALS Center

The Emory ALS Center of Emory Healthcare provides integrated care for patients and families with ALS and related disorders, as well as more comfort and independence. Research at Emory ALS Center is an important part of their work to diagnose, treat, and find a cure for ALS. The center participates in clinical trials to better understand the disease and other associated conditions.

About Live Like Lou

Live Like Lou is a nonprofit organization that supports families affected by ALS, funds ALS research to find treatments or cures for Lou Gehrig’s disease, and honors Lou Gehrig’s legacy. Their mission is to create and connect communities to stimulate emerging ALS research. Live Like Lou provides grants to facilitate necessary home modifications for ALS patients, scholarships to ALS caregivers or dependents, and more.

In 2023, thanks to the generosity of Braves fans, Live Like Lou provided grants totaling $15,000 to seven families across Braves Country, which allowed each family to modify their home in a way that made life less cumbersome and provided increased safety and independence to the family member living with ALS.