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Rock-A-Thon Benefits ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)

 On April 22, 2006, The Antique Griffin in downtown Griffin, Georgia, hosted a Rock-A-Thon in honor of ALS patients, Paul Ragan and Gerald Lawhorn. Paul Ragan is a business owner, and Gerald Lawhorn is the founder of PetroSouth, Inc. The two friends were diagnosed with ALS within six months of each other.

The ALS Rock-A-Thon was a 12-hour rocking chair marathon that was held to raise awareness about ALS, as well as to raise funds to fight the disease. Keith Fenton, Director of Development for the ALS Association of Georgia stated, "Much like Lou Gehrig was an authentic American hero, Paul and Gerald are heroes in their own right. They have shown remarkable courage and dignity in the face of their illness. They have dedicated themselves to ensuring other ALS patients and families receive the provision and coordination of comprehensive services provided by The ALS Association."

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks and later kills the nerve cells and pathways in the brain and spinal cord. Simple everyday tasks such as talking, walking and eating become increasingly difficult and then impossible as the body's muscles deteriorate. For the most part, the minds of ALS patients remain unaffected. Right now, there is no cure for ALS.

The goal of the ALS Association of GA is to find a cure for and improve the living conditions of those suffering from the disease. Within the state of GA, anyone diagnosed with ALS is eligible to receive the services including in-home program, respite care program, educational programs for families with ALS, etc.

The ALS Association of Georgia, Inc. is the only nationally affiliated not-for-profit health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS in the state of GA. ALSA of GA covers all the bases: research, patient and community services, public education, and advocacy in providing help and hope to those facing the disease. For more information, please contact Keith Fenton, Director of Development (888) 636-9940. You can also visit their website at http://www.alsaga.org.

Honorees of the ALS Rock-A-Thon, Gerald I. Lawhorn and Paul Ragan. PetroSouth, Inc. worked with The Antique Griffin to help make the Rock-A-Thon take place. PetroSouth Inc. is based in Griffin, GA and currently supplies fuel to approximately 250 stores located in GA, AL, FL and MS.