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Bradenton student helps raise money for ALS
HERALD STAFF REPORT


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tool goes here For the third consecutive year, a group of rowdy devotees — including one Bradenton native and graduate of Manatee High School — are raising money on behalf of their favorite law school professor as he combats a fatal illness.

In December 2006, the colleagues, students and friends of Professor Steven Gey received devastating news: he had developed a particularly aggressive form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Except in very few cases, the victims of this cruel disease endure slow paralysis and, eventually, death.

Melanie Shoemaker Griffin, Bradenton native and former student of Professor Gey’s, was one of those people. In 2007, Melanie joined a small group of Professor Gey’s students and colleagues in an effort to raise a couple thousand dollars towards ALS research by competing in the Red Hills Triathlon in Tallahassee. This modest goal snowballed into a three-year philanthropic endeavor. More than $40,000 were raised in 2007; the following year, the team doubled in size and raised another $60,000. This year, the 60 members of the Tri-for-Gey III team aim to bring the total to $150,000. With less than three weeks left until the April 4 triathlon, they are still $30,000 short of their goal, but they hold out hope they will succeed. Donations can be made in Professor Gey’s name on behalf of Melanie at http://www.active.com/donate/Tri-For...elanieSGriffin. Professor Gey personally receives an update every time a donation is made, and all proceeds will go to ALS-Therapy Development Institute, the world’s largest ALS research center.

http://www.bradenton.com/living/story/1313668.html