LYNN, Ind. — Each year the tragedy of illness hits families all over the country. When Tony "Buck" Hart was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS – also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease – his family decided to try to make a difference in the lives of others affected with this devastating disease, and organized the first annual ALS rodeo.
This year the Hart family is hosting the second Tony Hart Ride to "Buck" ALS. The event will be Aug. 23 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond, Ind.
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord, according to the ALS Assoc.
Through progressive degeneration the disease causes the motor neurons that reach from the brain to the spinal cord to die. This causes loss of the brain’s ability to initiate and control muscle movement. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.
Blair Hart said, "When my husband, Tony, was diagnosed in October of 2012 we soon learned that many people didn’t have the medical equipment they needed and that the research community for ALS community can always use more money.
"When Tony was diagnosed they thought he had six months, but we were able to get good care for him," she said about the ALS treatment her husband received before passing away in March 2014. She decided they were fortunate to be able to afford the treatment and have the equipment needed – and wished the same for others.
"The cause of this disease is unknown and there is currently no cure; however, there is help for the patients. The ALS Association of Indiana is a not-for-profit group that provides help to ALS patients all over Indiana. They help connect with services and goods that make living with this disease immeasurably easier.
"The rodeo is our way of honoring Tony and other patients who have ALS, and empowering the ALS Association of Indiana to serve more patients. Additionally, we hope to provide awareness about ALS," Hart explained.
The idea for the rodeo came from the youngest of the Harts’ three sons, Josh. "He said, ‘I think people would pay to see me get knocked off a bull; let’s do a rodeo with the benefits going to ALS,’" she recalled.
The money from the rodeo is used to purchase durable medical equipment that can be loaned out to families with someone suffering from ALS.
The first rodeo was Aug. 24, 2013. The Harts were able to raise $27,000 for the ALS of Indiana. "We wound up with 90 volunteers last year," Hart said. "All funds went to ALS Association.
"What we want people to know is we are doing this for awareness and as a fundraiser. A lot people have ALS and it is a pretty devastating disease. There is a fierce need for more research."
The rodeo is a family affair with all three sons, Josh, Matt and Abe helping out. "The neat thing is, they have been involved in every facet of what has happened," Hart said. "They live close and were able to be with their dad a lot and they did all the rodeo stuff.
"We all volunteered all day long, set everything up. We have a wonderful group of family and friends we couldn’t do it without them."
On Aug. 23, gates will open at 3 p.m. with lots of family events, including inflatables, pony rides, a mechanical bull, a picture bull, a picture horse and live band. The rodeo starts at 7 p.m. Ticket prices are as follows: ages 13 and up, $10; 6-12, $5; and 5 and younger are free.
"The rodeo is handicapped-accessible," Hart added. "Last year we used flatbed trailers so anyone that came in a wheelchair was able to do this.
"We appreciate everything everyone has done to promote this. The local radio does promotional spots and advertising for free; that is a huge deal. It is a great fundraiser."
Tony was able to attend last year’s rodeo. "He loved it, every bit of it. He had a fantastic time." This year will be bittersweet for the Harts without their husband and their father by their sides.
"We have been together since we were kids," Hart said. "It was hard to lose him."
Tony grew up on a farm and was a farmer when the Harts were first married. For more information about the rodeo, check out the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BuckALS and for ALS information, visit http://bit.ly/1sstB1y
