Augie’s BASH 2007



Jen and I were lucky enough to be invited to Augie's 2007 BASH in San Francisco. For those who are not familiar with Augie Nieto, he was diagnosed with ALS in March of 2005. Augie owns a lucrative business in the fitness industry, and enjoys friendships with many other successful business people. Within a couple weeks of his diagnoses, he vowed to use his far reaching influence to fund cutting edge ALS research. He then partnered with the MDA to start Augie's Quest, and began raising large quantities of cash. The BASH we attended was the second annual.



The evening began with cocktails and a silent auction in the foyer of the main ballroom. At the prescribed time the ballroom doors were opened and the silent auction was closed. We were ushered to our table and seated among approximately 1400 others. The guests were primarily business executives, studded with the occasional research scientist and medical professional.



The festivities were kicked off by emcee Olympic Gold Medalist Summer Sanders, who was followed by several other speakers. Author Mitch Albom (Tuesdays with Morrie) recounted some life lessons he learned while sitting with Morrie Shwartz before his death from ALS. Augie then rolled onto the stage in his power chair, accompanied by his wife Lynne. Augie began an inspirational speech in which he finally succumbed to his deep emotions, and Lynne concluded by reading a couple special letters they had received. Most of the audience (both genders) now had large tears rolling down their cheeks.



The guests were requested to fill out donation cards that had been left at each table. The cards were collected by various MDA staff and promptly delivered to the stage to be read aloud by Summer and Ron Hemelgarn, (the man who paid for our table). The atmosphere was frenzied and chaotic, but a particular string of donations I remember went something like this: $50,000, $50,000, $50,000, $50,000, $100,000, $50,000, $200,000, $50,000. I began to weep uncontrollably and couldn't stop for an uncomfortably long period of time. The energy in that room was electric with compassion and generosity. I have never before felt anything like that.



Augie raised 1.95 million dollars in one night, Incredible.

Photos


http://mikebougher.com/BASH%202007.htm