In 1994, Caroline Hatcher of Columbia was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Tackling the disease head on, she created the annual Tee It Up for ALS charity golf tournament in Columbia and is now working to organize an ALS chapter in SC.

Hatcher and other members of the ALS Association gathered at the Holiday Inn on Assembly Street November 14 as part of a series of meetings in the state to raise awareness about ALS and generate support for a SC ALS chapter.

ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that attacks the motor neurons responsible for all voluntary muscles, yet leaves the mind perfectly intact. The ALS Association is the only national not–for–profit health organization dedicated solely to fight against ALS.

“The mission of the ALS Assn. is to find a cure for and improve living with the disease,” Hatcher said. “In 2005, because of the needs of patients and caregivers in SC, it was decided that a SC chapter of ALS Assn. should be established.”

She said a board of directors has been appointed and is currently conducting interviews for the executive director position.

Hatcher developed the idea for the Tee It Up for ALS charity golf tournament, held annually at the Golf Club of SC at Crickentree. The tournament has been in operation for seven years and has raised more than $84,000.

“Open meetings have been held in Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville to make the public aware of the organization of a SC chapter,” Hatcher explained. “The mission of the chapter in organization is to raise $100,000 by the end of the year to establish the ALS Chapter in SC.”

The SC ALS committee is well on its way to reaching the $100,000 mark after the November 14 meeting in Columbia. Jerry Dawson from the Jim “Catfish” Hunter Chapter of ALS Association presented a donation of $20,000. Billy Altman presented a check for $14,300, which was raised through the Tee It Up for ALS golf tournament.

For more information, contact The ALS Assn. SC Chapter in Organization, PO Box 280, Charleston, SC 29402.