AUGIE NIETO TO RECEIVE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HISPANIC
JOURNALISTS AWARD

TUCSON, Ariz., July 25, 2008 — Fitness pioneer Augie Nieto will receive the National Association of Hispanic Journalists 2008 President's Award July 25.

Nieto, 50, of Corona del Mar, Calif., and wife Lynne, serve as co-chairs for MDA's ALS Division. Nieto spearheads the organization’s Augie's Quest program, a fast-track research initiative aimed at finding therapies or a cure for the devastating neuromuscular disease ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease).

The award, to be presented by NAHJ President Rafael Olmeda at the 2008 NAHJ Hall of Fame Gala in Chicago, recognizes journalists and industry pioneers whose contributions provide inspiration for Latinos to enter journalism or help to improve news coverage of the U.S. Latino community. MDA Senior Vice President Pete Morgan will accept the award on Nieto's behalf.

"This award is a testament to the choice I've made to live for what I can do instead of mourning the things I'm unable to do," said Nieto. "I'm proud to have been selected for such an honor."

Nieto received a diagnosis of ALS in March 2005; the disease has weakened his body and speech. He is the co-founder and former president of Life Fitness and current chairman of Octane Fitness of Andover, Minn.

As part of his efforts to raise research funds and ALS awareness, Nieto authored "Augie's Quest: One Man's Journey from Success to Significance," released Nov. 13 by Bloomsbury USA.

In his book, Nieto recounts his journey from a fitness entrepreneur at the top of his game to a depressed and suicidal individual after his diagnosis, followed by his renaissance as a business-savvy strategist in the fight to conquer the disease. He is currently working on a second book titled "Reciprocity, Incorporated" with interviews of notable business leaders about the power of giving back.

"Augie is as dedicated a person as you'll ever find," MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis said. "He has made the decision and the commitment to turn his illness into an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.”

ALS progressively destroys the nerve cells (motor neurons) controlling muscles, ultimately paralyzing most or all voluntary movement. The average life expectancy is three to five years after diagnosis.

MDA has led the fight against ALS for more than 50 years, supporting leading researchers worldwide, and funding medical care at 225 hospital-affiliated MDA clinics and 38 MDA/ALS research and clinical centers across the country.

For more information about MDA's ALS Division, visit www.als-mda.org. For information about MDA’s Augie's Quest, visit www.augiesquest.org.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary health agency working to defeat muscular dystrophy and related diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and professional and public health education. The Association's programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors. For more information, visit www.mda.org.