Come out to the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds on Saturday, August 9, from 7 – 11 pm for The Second Annual Ralph Razo, Jr., ALS Rock & Roll Benefit. Benefitting The ALS Association Golden West Chapter and the Monterey Walk to Defeat ALS, this 70s themed party features raffles, no host bar and music by The Billy Martini Show opening the show Daddy Rockbone.

 Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.  About 5,600 people are diagnosed with ALS – often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”- every year. People with ALS lose the ability to walk, talk, speak, swallow and eventually to breathe, while their five senses and, in most cases, their minds continue to function normally.  The average life expectancy of a person with ALS is two to five years from time of diagnosis.  However, with recent advances in research and improved access to medical care, people with ALS are living longer, more productive lives.  

 Ralph Razo was diagnosed with ALS in 2009.  Since 2009, Ralph Razo’s Walk Team, The Fist Bumps, has fundraised over $45,000 for critical care services, cutting-edge research, and progressive public policy initiatives.

 "Two years ago when I shared my diagnosis with everybody,” shared Ralph in 2011. “People could have looked the other way and chose not to get involved. Instead, I have been sent an entire new family and circle of friends. You've all made my journey a lot easier and I have never felt alone."  Sadly, Ralph lost his battle with ALS in 2012.  The Fist Bumps are determined to continue the work that he started to raise funds and awareness to help others face the devastating disease.

 “It is only together that we will defeat ALS, and there is no better example of collaboration, dedication and determination in the fight against ALS than that which we have seen from ‘The Fist Bumps’,” said Fred Fisher, President and CEO of The ALS Association Golden West Chapter.  “Events like these are an essential element in our efforts to increase awareness and secure the resources necessary to advance our global research program, our care services program and our public policy initiatives – all of which play key roles in the search for an effective treatment and cure. As a result, The ALS Association can continue to fund groundbreaking scientific and therapeutic discoveries that enable a better understanding of the causes of ALS, developing new treatments for ALS, and ultimately, finding a cure for this devastating disease.”

You can help end by joining with The First Bumps in memory of Ralph Razo, Jr. at the Rock & Roll Benefit on August 9. Tickets are $25 each.  Parking is free.

 For more information and to purchase your tickets, please visit www.thefistbumps.org or contact Lori Grimes at lgrimes63@yahoo.com. Purchase your tickets here!