Harley Davidson : 25th Anniversary Black-N-Blue Ball Sets New Fundraising Record

May 18, 2018 marked the 25^th anniversary of the Black-N-Blue Ball, one of Milwaukee's longest-running and most successful charitable events, to raise funds for a cure for neuromuscular disease. The dress code of this event required guests to suit up in their finest 'black' leather and 'blue' denim to fit with the motorcycle theme for a night of auctions and events, including a raffle for a custom 2018 Harley-Davidson^® Heritage Softail^® Classic motorcycle. This year's Black-N-Blue Ball raised nearly $1.2 million (the most money raised in its 25-year history) to fund both life-saving research and the MDA Summer Camp.

Other highlights of the night included a live auction of artwork done by local MDA ambassador children that brought in $32,000, a painting by the late H-D artist Mathew Hintz, that was commissioned and donated by Harley-Davidson CEO, Matt Levatich, that sold for $25,000, and the presentation of the Personal Freedom Award by motorcycle legend and recipient of the inaugural award, Willie G. Davidson, to Andy and Lori Barrieau for their dedication and contributions to the organization.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company has been a lead sponsor of the Black-N-Blue Ball for the last 25 years and a partner to MDA since 1980. In this time, the Harley-Davidson family of dealers, riders, HOG members, customers, suppliers and employees, have raised over $103 million at events nationwide to help fund MDA research and care. Over the past 25 years, the Milwaukee Black-N-Blue Ball has raised nearly $13 million for MDA's mission and is the largest of MDA's 200+ galas across the country.

The 26^th annual MDA Black-N-Blue Ball will be held on May 10, 2019. Please see below for more information on the Ball and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

About MDA:
The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)'s mission is to transform the lives of people affected by neuromuscular disease. Its ground-breaking care solutions provide vital support services that significantly improve the quality of life for people with these diseases and those who care for them.

MDA's commitment is to accelerate the delivery of treatments and cures at a pace yet seen. MDA's investments in pioneering research is the key focus of the organization, as they truly believe that there are cures for neuromuscular diseases that are just around the corner.

Today, MDA is at the forefront of the fight against all muscle diseases. They are only second to National Institutes of Health in providing grants. In fact, MDA is the leader in funding ALS research.

MDA's 150 Care Centers throughout the U.S. provide best-in-class, comprehensive care for more than one hundred thousand youth and adults. Our National Resource Center provides one-to-one specialist support to help people affected by these diseases. Other programs like MDA Summer Camp and Transitions, assist children and young adult with teaching life skills needed to live a more independent life.

Visit mda.org for more information or follow at: youtube.com/user/MySpaceMDA, facebook.com/MDAnational and @MDAnews.