A golf tournament is being held in honor of a fallen firefighter and paramedic who lost his life to ALS.

James Santella passed away three years ago but his family says the foundation helps his memory live on.

Santella, who was also known as "Jimmy" by his family, grew up in Spring Hill and always dreamed of being a firefighter. He wanted to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather and his uncle, and that's exactly what he did.

Santella served at Spring Hill Fire Rescue for 11 years. During that time he got married and had a son. He was diagnosed with ALS in 2010.

“Everyone can be affected differently and have it for decades,” said Doug Tatum, Santella’s uncle. “It slowly eats at your body and deteriorates your nervous system or it can affect you rapidly. My nephew was diagnosed and 18 months later he passed away.”

As many as 30,000 people in the country can have the disease at any given time.

The foundation was set up in Santella's name three years ago with the golf tournament as its largest event. The proceeds from the tournament will go to scholarships for firefighters and paramedics. The rest will go to a family who is suffering with ALS.

The tournament is being held Feb. 28 at the Hernando Oaks Golf and Country Club, located at 5230 Delacroix Drive in Brooksville.