CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings to play in tournament benefiting M.D.A.

Published on July 15, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN—It's been three and a half years since his father died of Lou Gehrig's disease, but Bruce Orpet is sure that if he was alive, he would be proud to see how Orpet and Cellular South co-workers are working to find a cure by helping the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The death of Orpet's father was not the first time Lou Gehrig's disease had struck the Orpet family. His wife's father also died of the disease some years before. Orpet decided to turn his grief into a labor of love and help others with this debilitating disease.

"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."

So Orpet, a Cellular South marketing specialist, started a golf tournament three years ago to benefit M.D.A. With help from co-workers, media and charitably-minded golfers, the event became an annual success. The first year, the tournament raised $3,000 and had 12 teams; last year, it brought in $6,000 and had 18 teams.

With a month left before this year's Cellular South Golf Classic, the tournament already has 20 teams, including one from the Memphis RiverKings hockey team and celebrity players like ‘Kings team captain Don Parsons. Orpet is enthusiastic that this will be the best year yet.

"There's so much M.D.A. can do with the funds," Orpet said. "For instance, $25 provides an annual flu shot; $200 covers a clinical diagnostic exam; $600 sends a child to M.D.A. summer camp; $2,000 goes toward purchase of wheelchair-leg braces. You feel good about helping equip them with tools to help so many people."

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.

Through M.D.A., individuals have access to a nation-wide network of some 230 hospital-affiliated clinics staffed by top health professionals, like the local MDA clinic at Baptist Memorial Hospital Hope Health Center in Memphis. These experts can advise about all aspects of medical management of neuromuscular disease.

"MDA funds national research for the disease, but funds raised from local events like this tournament stay in this area," Orpet said. "For instance, the money raised may go to pay doctors and nurses at the Memphis M.D.A. clinic at Baptist Hospital. It may buy wheelchairs and leg braces for people who live in the local area."

Nationally, M.D.A. sends about 4,000 children ages 6-21 to muscular dystrophy camp each year. Camp activities include fishing, horseback riding, dancing, softball, arts and crafts, and swimming, all tailored to suit the children's special needs. Orpet has visited the camp on several occasions.

"The camp at Land Between the Lakes in Tennessee is one of the big things for kids in the local area," Orpet said. "It's a week-long camp. They just love it. For an entire week these kids are truly happy."

The tournament will be Aug. 5 at Wedgewood Golfer's Club in Olive Branch. Lunch will be provided by McAlister's Deli from 11:20a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with shotgun start at 1 p.m. and an awards banquet following. To sign up a team or for more information, call Christy Garrett at 901367-0902 or call Orpet at 901-870-8888.

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Central Hockey League Stories from July 15, 2004


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