Phi Delta Theta Fraternity Holds Banquet to Fight Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Photo Submitted

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Members of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity at the University of Arkansas will hold their second annual fundraising banquet to support the J. Thomas May Center for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The event will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb 1 at the Fayetteville Town Center.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease also known as “Lou Gerhig’s disease,” for the New York Yankee star who was diagnosed with the disease in 1939, at the height of his career. He died two years later.

Gerhig attended Columbia University and was a member of Phi Delta Theta, which is why the fundraiser is called “Fight for Brother Lou Gehrig.” Last year’s banquet in Fayetteville raised $12,500.

The J. Thomas May Center for ALS Research is named for the former Chairman and CEO of Simmons First National Corp. in Pine Bluff. “Tommy” May is a widely admired business leader and longtime supporter of the University of Arkansas. He was diagnosed with ALS in 2005. He continued to lead Simmons First National until his retirement this past December. In 2008 his friends and business associates raised more than $1 million to support the ALS Research Center at UAMS, and name it in his honor.

Tommy May is expected to attend the event and present the Community Excellence award to Dr. Stacy Rudnicki, one of the premiere doctors in the field of ALS Research. She is a professor of neurology at UAMS. She also leads its MDA/ALS clinic, which serves patients from across the state.