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WNBA Seattle Storm

Seattle Area Bars Team Together To Benefit The Melissa Erickson Foundation

August 14, 2009 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Seattle Storm News Release


SEATTLE, Aug. 14, 2009 - Lower Queen Anne area bars are working together to help former University of Washington basketball standout Melissa Erickson in her fight against ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. On Saturday, Aug. 29, from 1-5 p.m., the Ring Around the Needle Pub Crawl hopes to celebrate its inaugural year by raising $15,000 to benefit the Melissa Erickson Foundation.

Participating bars around the Queen Anne neighborhood include Jabu's Pub, Floyd's Place, Buckley's On Queen Anne, Ozzie's, Jalisco Mexican Restaurant, Hula Hula, and Bandit's Bar. The price of admission includes drinks and a T-shirt.

In addition, the Foundation has teamed up with the Seattle Storm to offer participants a reduced ticket price for its Aug. 29 game vs. Atlanta, with 20 percent of all ticket sales supporting the Melissa Erickson Foundation. "It's important for us to support our community, and we're happy to provide the Melissa Erickson Foundation with an opportunity to extend its event into the evening by attending a Storm game," said Karen Bryant, Seattle Storm President and CEO.

A four-year scholarship athlete at the University of Washington, Melissa Erickson helped lead the UW women's basketball team to both a Pac-10 title and an appearance in the Elite 8. Following her graduation in 2001, she went into coaching and also played professionally in Europe.

Erickson began sensing changes in her body while finishing what would become her last season overseas as a professional athlete. Upon returning to the States, she sought medical attention for her sudden lack of strength and coordination. In 2006, just a day before her 28th birthday, Erickson was given the initial diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. As the disease progresses, motor neurons -- which lead from the brain to the spinal cord and on to the muscles throughout the body -- die, and the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movements is lost, resulting in paralysis, and eventually death. The cause of ALS is unknown, and there is currently no cure or treatment to halt or reverse the disease.

One year after Erickson's initial diagnosis, Erickson's former UW teammates Sarah Duncan, Elise (Neimila) Woodward, and Jill (Pimley) Marlow created the Melissa Erickson Foundation. The foundation works to help Erickson afford her medical bills and the necessary alterations needed in her home. As the organization grows, the Melissa Erickson Foundation hopes to one day benefit other ill and injured former athletes.

Registration for the Ring Around the Needle is available at www.ringaroundtheneedle.com. Admission is $35 when purchased prior to Aug. 15 and $45 after. A bundle package is also available, which includes one ticket to see the Seattle Storm battle the Atlanta Dream at 7 p.m. after the pub crawl from 1 to 5 p.m. Storm tickets may be purchased until noon on Aug. 28. Ring Around the Needle tickets may be purchased the day of the event at Jabu's Pub. This event is open only to those 21 years of age and older.

For more information, please visit www.ringaroundtheneedle.com. To learn more about ALS, visit www.als.org.

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