Athletes rally for softball player's mom
Fund drive planned for Fairfield woman diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease
BY SUE KIESEWETTER | ENQUIRER CONTRIBUTOR
E-mail | Print | digg us! | del.icio.us! | Click-2-Listen

FAIRFIELD - The area's softball community is rallying around the family of a Fairfield High School softball player whose mother has Lou Gehrig's disease.

Softball teams throughout the Greater Miami Conference - including Lakota West, Mason and Colerain - are pledging some of the proceeds from concession stand sales to help Liza Fox, the mother of Jaisa Fox.

Colerain High School's softball program also has pledged $1 for every strikeout pitcher Emily Schwaeble records this season, said Renee Boswell, a family friend who is organizing a fundraiser to be held for the family tonight.

Since word of the family's situation went out last month, more than $1,800 in donations have come in. And that doesn't include the nearly $400 donated by the Mason High School's Boosters and concession proceeds, coach Brian Gestner said.
"It was an easy decision for us at our end because of the Fox family and our family in the softball world helping each other out,'' Gestner said.

Calls have gone out statewide to softball booster organizations to make donations to the Fox family. An anonymous donor also has pledged to match up to $5,000 in donations made at tonight's fundraiser.

"I am overwhelmed by everyone's kindness and generosity,'' Boswell said.

Liza Fox was diagnosed with the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - a progressive disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord - about 19 months ago.

She has since lost the use of her arms and legs and the ability to speak, Boswell said.

Boswell said the family declined any interviews.

To help the family pay for home nursing care - about $8,500 per month - Boswell and others have organized the benefit set for 7:30-11:30 p.m. today at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 38 at Joyce Park, 180 Joe Nuxhall Way. Tickets are $25 at the door.

There will be food, drinks, a disc jockey, auction, themed baskets to raffle off, and a split-the-pot.

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.d...403/1056/COL02

__________________

ALS/MND Registry
http://www.patientslikeme.com/registry