ALS benefit set for Saturday

Friday, Feb. 13, 2004 | 8:28 a.m.

Richard Saxe, the father of producer David Saxe, died of Lou Gerhig's Disease in 2002.

Since then the younger Saxe has co-sponsored the annual "All-Star Las Vegas Show" fund-raiser to fight the disease that kills thousands each year.

This year's event is at 5 p.m. Saturday in the Showroom at The Venetian. Cocktails will be served before the show at 4 p.m.

Special appearances will be made by the cast of "V, The Ultimate Variety Show" (one of Saxe's productions), comedian George Wallace, Chrissi Scinta, Ronn Lucas and others.

Tickets are $50 for balcony seating, $75 for the main floor and $100 for VIP seating. They may be purchased at The Venetian box office or by calling 933-4230.

The technical name of the illness is ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). It is a neuro-degenerative disease that attacks nerve cells and pathways in the brain and spinal cord. When these cells die, voluntary muscle control and movement dies with them.

It is almost always terminal, usually claiming a life within 18 months to five years after diagnosis. One famous exception is theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, author of "A Brief History of Time."

Hawking could be the longest-surviving victim of ALS, which he contracted in 1965 at the age of 21. Today the 60-year-old scientist gets around in a wheelchair and communicates using a computer.

Saxe recalls the horror of watching his father suffer.

"It seemed like every day my father faced a profound loss, as each of his voluntary muscles progressively became paralyzed," he said.

Saxe said the ALS Association Nevada Chapter helped guide his father through the disease.

"They showed him the love, respect and care he needed, at the time he needed it most," Saxe said.

The ALS Association depends entirely upon donations.

For more information, contact Winston O'Rourke at David Saxe Productions at 260-7200.