The tournament is named after Chet Nelson, a former member of the Crosslake-Ideal Lions Club, who died of ALS in 1997. Proceeds from the tournament go to The ALS Association to fight Lou Gehrig's Disease. This leads to muscle weakness and eventually total paralysis, robbing its victims of the ability to speak or swallow. Meanwhile, the person's mind remains unaffected and intact. The disease strikes about 100 Minnesotans each year.
Life expectancy following a diagnosis is only about three to five years.
The cause, treatment and cure of ALS are still a mystery. The ALS Association supports research and provides services to patients and their families. Let us know with this form.