By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

COLUMBIANA – Local fishing enthusiasts will have a chance to enjoy a day on the water while raising money to combat a rare disease in southern Shelby County in early May.

On Saturday, May 6, the Mike L. Jezdimir Transverse Myelitis Foundation will host its fifth-annual Transverse Myelitis bass tournament. The event will begin at sunrise at Shelby County’s Beeswax Creek boat ramp at 245 Beeswax Park Road in Columbiana, and will last until 3 p.m.

The tournament winner is guaranteed $1,000, while payouts for second, third and fourth places will be based on the total boat field.

The $100 per-person entry fee includes a cash pot for the biggest catch of the day. There will be a five-fish limit per team, and solo anglers will be allowed.

To register for the event, which is sponsored by Little Caesars on Alabama 25 in Columbiana, visit Mikestransversemyelitis.com/Bass-Tournament.html or call event organizer Mike Jezdimir at 453-3946 or 202-7260.

All proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Maylene-based foundation, which works to support finding a cure and preventative measures for the inflammatory diseases transverse myelitis and multiple sclerosis.

Transverse myelitis is a rare spinal cord disease causing loss of muscle usage, extreme fatigue and pain.