Why We Fish

John Spiekerman and Harvey Hardwick grew up in the Rio Grande Valley, a close-knit community in south Texas. But they have something else in common – they both had loved ones who were diagnosed with ALS.

The ALS Fishing Classic brings together advocates from across Texas to Port Mansfield, a fishing community in the Rio Grande Valley. This unique event raises awareness and funds crucial resources for people with ALS in the Rio Grande Valley and across the state.

Over the past several years, the ALS Association of Texas has worked to expand access to care in Texas, and currently has 11 clinics open across the state. In 2017, the ALS Association of Texas worked with Doctor’s Hospital to open an ALS multidisciplinary clinic in the Rio Grande Valley, providing specialized care to people with ALS.

Funds raised at the tournament will support the ALS Association of Texas. Our work covers all the bases — research, patient and community services, public education, and advocacy — in providing help, support, and hope to those facing the disease.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday, July 10

6:00 PM – Registration and Cocktail Hour

6:00 PM – Raffle Opens

7:00 PM – Dinner Served

7:30 PM – Captain’s Meeting

Saturday, July 11

6:39 AM (sunrise) – Tournament Begins

3:00 PM – Weigh-in

5:00 PM – Awards Dinner and Raffle

5:00 PM – Paddle Raise, supporting the ALS Mission

At the ALS Association of Texas, we focus our resources on helping people with ALS across the state by addressing the entire ALS ecosystem: providing local care to support people who need help now, advocating for public policy that serves the needs to people with ALS, and investing in research to find treatments, and, ultimately, a cure.