CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings play in tournament benefiting M.D.A.

Published on August 5, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN-In a former life, Marketing Specialist Bruce Orpet served as assistant director of the Greater Memphis area Muscular Dystrophy Association. In an ironic twist of fate, Orpet's father-in-law was diagnosed with the disease and passed away more than 15 years ago. Shortly after that, his own father was diagnosed with the disease. He passed away three years ago.

"Lou Gehrig's disease, also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or A.L.S., is the most devastating of all the forms of muscular dystrophy," Orpet said. "It debilitates the muscles, shrinking them. One day you just wake up and you can't breathe because your muscles won't respond, but your mind is perfectly fine so you know exactly what's happening. It's really hard."

When Orpet took the position at Cellular South, his desire to help others with this debilitating disease didn't change. So three years ago he started the Cellular South Golf Classic for M.D.A. (Muscular Dystrophy Association).With help from co-workers, media and charitably-minded golfers, the event became an annual success, allowing Cellular South to donate over $20,000 to the organization.

The Cellular South Golf Classic for M.D.A. on Friday, Aug. 5 at The Club at North Creek in Southaven included several local celebrities. The Memphis RiverKings provided a foursome in addition to team captain Don Parsons as a celebrity player.

Memphis media representatives from Sports 56 WHBQ, ABC 24, WREG Ch. 5 and others also played in the tournament; local sportscaster George Lapides emceed the awards banquet afterward. Lunch was provided by McAlister's Deli.

Muscular dystrophy, a group of disorders characterized by progressive muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue, strikes people of all ages. It has nine variations. Jerry Lewis has helped make the public aware of those affecting children, like Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies, through many telethons. Less well known are types like A.L.S., which affects people age 50 and older.

Muscular dystrophy is a genetic disease, passed on by inheritance. M.D.A., a voluntary health organization, has identified dozens of genes that, when defective, lead to specific neuromuscular disorders. The organization is also developing and testing potential treatments in gene therapy, stem cells, drug therapies and other avenues.

One of the neatest things that M.D.A. does on a local level is sending children with muscular dystrophy to summer camp. Orpet was a counselor at several of these camps.

"It has a lasting effect on you," he said. "You get really close to the ones staying in your cabin. That week at camp is generally the highlight of their year - the other 51 weeks of the year they spend with their parents and in out of hospitals and surgeries. Most of them can't even move without help. But for that one week they don't do anything but have fun. It gives the parents a break, too. It's a neat thing for everyone involved."

Campers at Land Between the Lakes in Tennessee can go fishing, horseback riding, dancing, softball, arts and crafts, and swimming, all tailored to suit the children's special needs.

All funds raised from local events such as the Cellular South tournament stay in the local area. They provide everything from an annual flu shot to wheelchair-leg braces. Additionally, individuals have access through M.D.A. to a nation-wide network of more than 230 hospital-affiliated clinics staffed by top health professionals, like the local MDA clinic at Baptist Memorial Hospital Hope Health Center in Memphis.

"There's so much M.D.A. can do with the funds," Orpet said. "You feel good about helping equip them with tools to help so many people."

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Central Hockey League Stories from August 5, 2005


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