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Community Corner

Spectrum Athletic Clubs Honor Hero & Raise Nearly $40,000 To Fight ALS

One of LA’s top fitness instructors, who was forced to trade her spin bike for a wheelchair when she was diagnosed with crippling ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), received the surprise of her life when members of the Southern California fitness community gathered at a dedication of the very workout room where she taught spin classes for more than a decade.  The unveiling of the Toni Brown Studio at Spectrum Athletic Club's South Bay location preceded a 2-day fundraiser in her honor called “Getting’ Down With Toni Brown,” which raised nearly $40,000 to eradicate ALS.  All 12 Spectrum clubs in LA and Santa Barbara counties participated in the fundraiser that was opened to members and non-members with the goal of raising much-needed funds and public awareness for the cause.  Coverage included ABC, CBS, the Los Angeles Times and Daily Breeze, among others.   

         “Toni devoted her life to helping people get in shape so what better way to honor her than dedicating the very spin room that she called home for so much of her professional life,” said Bud Rockhill, president and CEO of Spectrum Athletic Clubs.  “She has become a hero and an inspiration to so many people due to her courage and perseverance and this is our way of honoring her in perpetuity.”

Every 60 minutes, an American is diagnosed with ALS.  It comes out of nowhere and strikes even the healthiest of us.  What begins with flu-like symptoms leads to a loss of balance and eventually the nerve cells that control movement throughout the body shut down.  While the body is completely paralyzed, the mind remains fully intact.  For more information about ALS and how you can help, visit Augie’s Quest (the Muscular Dystrophy Association's ALS research initiative) at www.augiesquest.orgor call (858) 277-8206.

On the heels of a multi-million dollar renovation and improvement campaign, Spectrum Athletic Clubs boast spacious, modern facilities, highly trained staff, the latest in fitness equipment, high-end amenities and a full range of fitness programming.  The clubs are recognized leaders in providing a fitness experience that helps members achieve their individual goals.  For more details about memberships or fitness class information, visit www.spectrumclubs.com.

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