Phillies Pitcher Raises $96K for ALS in Uncle's Memory

Every time Aaron Nola throws a strikeout this season, he's turning his talent into hope for families battling ALS.

The Philadelphia Phillies pitcher delivered one of his best performances Tuesday night, striking out eight batters in a 3-2 victory over the Padres. But the real win happened off the field, where those eight strikeouts translated to $12,000 in donations to the ALS Association.

Nola noticed something special when he arrived at his locker before the game. His usual number 27 jersey had a No. 4 patch honoring Lou Gehrig, the legendary player who brought national attention to ALS. For Nola, wearing that patch carried deep personal meaning.

His uncle, Alan Andries, battled ALS for six years before passing away in 2021. Watching his uncle face a disease with no cure drove Nola to action. "I know how hard it is not just for them, but for the family and friends to see their loved ones go through something you can't really do anything about," he said.

This season alone, Nola's 64 strikeouts have already generated $96,000 for ALS research. He donates $1,500 for every batter he strikes out, a pledge he's maintained for multiple seasons now. The campaign runs all year, meaning every game becomes an opportunity to fund critical research.

But Nola's impact extends far beyond his individual donations. Together with his brother Austin, he's raised more than $250,000 through Strike Out ALS bowling events. The Phillies organization matched his commitment, raising over $710,000 on Lou Gehrig Day alone, including a $415,000 donation from Asplundh.

Why This Inspires

What makes Nola's story so powerful isn't just the money he's raising. It's how he's transformed personal grief into sustained action. Before every Lou Gehrig Day game, he meets with ALS-impacted families in the clubhouse, creating connections with people who understand what he went through with his uncle.

His teammates and fellow players have noticed. They voted him Philanthropist of the Year at the 2025 Players Choice Awards. The Phillies nominated him for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, which honors players who exemplify sportsmanship and community involvement.

Tuesday marked the first time Nola actually pitched on Lou Gehrig Day, having previously been in the rotation on different days. Walking to the mound with that No. 4 patch and striking out eight batters felt like honoring his uncle in the most meaningful way possible.

Research funding remains critical because ALS still has no cure. Every dollar Nola generates through strikeouts goes directly toward finding treatments and supporting families facing devastating diagnoses. His consistency matters too, showing up year after year to keep the cause visible.

Nola's also helped the Phillies become organizational leaders in ALS support, hosting families before games and creating the "ALS Lineup of Courage" ceremony that honors patients and caregivers. The team's commitment has grown alongside his personal mission.

With months left in the season, Nola's strikeout total will keep climbing, and so will his donations to ALS research and family support.