ALS was first found in 1869 by French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot, but it wasn’t until 1939 that Lou Gehrig brought  national and international attention to the disease. Ending the career of one of the most beloved baseball players of all time, the disease is still most closely associated with his name.

In 2002, Amelia Island resident Mark O’Day lost his father, John Louis O’Day, to ALS after a four-year battle. In his memory, Mark started an annual golf tournament to raise money for the ALS Association NE Florida benefiting Mayo Clinic & UF Health through the Walk to Defeat ALS Jacksonville. What began as a tribute has grown into a powerful community event in the fight against ALS.