While the Phillies were the drafting the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since 1998, they were also striking out ALS like they do every season.
The organization on Thursday held its annual Phillies Phestival at Citizens Bank Park in the fight against ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).
The event, which is highlighted by autograph sessions with players and an auction party, raised a total of $718,689 towards patient care and services for ALS patients in the Greater Philadelphia area.
“The Phillies family remains committed to doing whatever we can to put an end to this terrible disease,” Phillies chairman David Montgomery said in a statement released by the team. “We are extremely thankful to the countless fans and sponsors, as well as players, day of game employees and front office staff, who have been behind this effort every step of the way.”
Since 1984, when ALS became the team’s primary charity, the Phillies have raised $17 million in support of the fight.
"The world has changed a lot in 32 years, but one thing that has not changed is the commitment by the Philadelphia Phillies to Strike Out ALS," Ellyn Phillips, President of the ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter, said. "As a result of the Phillies efforts these past three decades, people with ALS in our area have greater access to a wide range of services. We are honored to team with the Phillies for this cause because we see the impact that they make not just today, but every single day of the year."
