Published in Events, Walk To End ALS on June 11, 2021
Can you believe it? We’re less than two weeks away from the virtual Walk to End ALS happening next weekend on Sunday, June 20! Although we can’t be together in-person again this year, we’ve gone the extra mile to unite everyone safely again, before and after we all “walk”. The drill is the same as […]
Published in Events, Fund Development, Research, Stories, Update, Walk To End ALS on June 25, 2020
Tags: ALS, ALS awareness, ALS Awareness Month, Donate to ALS, donating to ALS, fundraising, walk to end als
I reached out to you on June 1 to invite you to join us in 21 Days to Make a Difference. You embraced the daily activities across social media platforms and openly shared your stories, photos, memories, and experiences. What I saw happen online was a community that came together in anticipation of something big! […]
Published in Events, Stories, Walk To End ALS on June 19, 2020
Tags: ALS, ALS awareness, ALS Awareness Month, als stories, community, Donate to ALS, families with ALS, living with ALS, walk to end als
Charmaine Loverin, who was diagnosed with ALS last year, has stayed positive through tremendous change and upheaval imposed by the disease, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. She left her home and relocated to Belleville to live with her sister, Michelle, who reached out with “open arms.” After the move, Charmaine returned to Toronto on a […]
Published in Events, Walk To End ALS on June 16, 2020
Tags: ALS, ALS awareness, ALS Awareness Month, community, walk to end als
This Sunday (June 21) at 11:00am ET, you are invited to join ALS Canada’s Walk to End ALS virtual finish line – our biggest online celebration ever! What is the virtual finish line? For one hour, we’re taking to the virtual airways for a live-streaming celebration unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. There will be […]
Published in Events, Stories, Walk To End ALS on June 16, 2020
Tags: ALS, ALS awareness, ALS Awareness Month, als stories, caregiving, community, Donate to ALS, donating to ALS, families with ALS, fundraising, living with ALS, walk to end als
ALS shatters dreams no matter when it strikes. For Deane Gorsline, 31, and his wife, Danielle, living with ALS means letting go of a lifetime of dreams. Focusing on the present helps them stay positive, whether it’s enjoying precious time with their new puppy, Trigger, or supporting the ALS community they belong to by joining […]
Published in Events, Stories, Walk To End ALS on June 12, 2020
Tags: ALS, ALS awareness, ALS Awareness Month, community, families with ALS, living with ALS, walk to end als
Marla Dahlke says she was like “a deer in the headlights” when doctors told her she had ALS last year. She’s since had time to process that information, adapt to her new reality, and reconnect with her resilient inner voice. “You can only feel sorry for yourself for so long and even you get sick […]
Published in Events, Stories, Walk To End ALS on June 9, 2020
Tags: ALS, ALS awareness, ALS Awareness Month, als stories, caregiving, community, Donate to ALS, donating to ALS, families with ALS, giving, giving back, living with ALS, walk to end als
Jocelyne Gall is doing her best to support her dad, Bill, who was diagnosed with ALS in July 2018. As the only child of divorced parents, she is the only family member attending to her dad’s needs – and with three young children of her own, she has a lot to manage. While her situation […]
Published in Events, Walk To End ALS on June 8, 2020
Tags: ALS, ALS awareness, ALS Awareness Month, community, community engagement, fundraising, walk to end als
Haven’t yet decided how you’re going to do the Walk to End ALS in your own way on Sunday, June 21? You need not look further than the Ice Bucket Challenge to know that the ALS community is creative and resilient, so they’ve got you covered! Here are just a few innovative ways our community […]
Published in Events, Stories, Walk To End ALS on June 5, 2020
Tags: ALS, ALS Awareness Month, ALS Canada Research Program, als stories, caregiving, community, Donate to ALS, donating to ALS, families with ALS, living with ALS, walk to end als
Even a high level of awareness about ALS cannot fully prepare anyone for what it takes to navigate the changes that occur as the disease progresses. Charlotte and Bob Brethour have faced many difficult hurdles, but they still appreciate every day they share together, “even when the best-laid plans have gone awry,” says Charlotte. “We’re […]
Published in Events, Walk To End ALS on May 28, 2020
Tags: ALS, ALS Awareness Month, walk to end als
The countdown is on! ALS Awareness Month kicks off June 1 and this year it’s all about bringing us together online so that we can continue to build community and create visibility, even while we distance physically. Because even though the world is different right now, one thing hasn’t changed – WHY you want to […]
Published in Stories, Walk To End ALS on May 15, 2020
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, walk to end als
Steven Gallagher knows what he’ll be doing on June 21 this year – but the big question is whether he’ll be doing it as Superman, Batman, the Hulk or another superhero. Marvel or DC Comics? Gallagher doesn’t discriminate – he just knows that superheroes are a powerful and inspiring embodiment of what he’s facing right […]
Published in Events, Walk To End ALS on May 12, 2020
Tags: walk to end als
UPDATE: Starting June 3, we will be hosting Live Well Wednesdays, special mini events via livestream where you can learn a new skill, have fun with your family, and connect with the ALS community: June 3: Yoga for all ages & stages June 10: Cooking Class June 17: Art class: DIY Walk t-shirts During each […]
Published in Stories, Walk To End ALS on November 19, 2019
You and your communities have made this year’s Walk to End ALS events a tremendous success across Ontario, raising almost $2.1 million to date! Thank you for coming together and uniting in your desire to put an end to ALS. Thank you for showing your support for the 3,000 Canadians and their families living with […]
Published in Stories, Walk To End ALS on October 9, 2019
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, community engagement, funding als research, fundraising, Get Involved, living with ALS, walk to end als
The Walk to End ALS events that take place across the province, throughout the year, mean different things to different people, but there is a common thread of support, community and knowing you’re not alone on this journey. James Young, a 42-year-old father of two young boys, considers himself one of the lucky ones. Diagnosed […]
Published in Events, Walk To End ALS on September 26, 2019
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, community, community engagement, fundraising, Get Involved, giving back, walk to end als
Kelsey Barker describes her dad, Jeff, as her hero. Diagnosed with ALS in February 2018, he has since lost the use of his right arm and is now having difficulty breathing and walking – but ALS has not changed the person he is. “He lights up a room. He is selfless and courageous. He pushes […]
Published in Stories, Walk To End ALS on September 12, 2019
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, ALS, als cure, als stories, community, community engagement, Donate to ALS, families with ALS, find a cure for ALS, living with ALS, support, walk to end als
When Shelly Gregory first noticed her speech was slurred two years ago, she drove herself to the hospital in Belleville thinking she was having a stroke. Eight months later, in May 2018, she learned she had bulbar onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – a form of ALS that first affects people from the neck up. Since […]
Published in Stories, Walk To End ALS on September 5, 2019
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, ALS, als stories, caregiving, community engagement, families with ALS, living with ALS, motor neuron disease, walk to end als
It wasn’t until her own diagnosis that Jackie learned ALS can be passed on through generations. Jackie Pasch, 55, was diagnosed with familial ALS almost a year ago. Shortly after, she lost the use of her left arm and developed difficulty breathing necessitating the use of a BiPAP machine at night to help her breathe […]
Published in Stories, Walk To End ALS on September 3, 2019
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, ALS, ALS awareness, als stories, Every August Until A Cure, funding als research, living with ALS, walk to end als
Until he was diagnosed with ALS in 2016, Alan Medcalf spent his adult life “in love with movement.” He was a snowboarder, cross-country skier, unicyclist, cyclist and competed as a runner, swimmer and triathlete. After a second hip replacement he cycled coast to coast across Canada in 2000 and logged over 100,000 km in the […]
Published in Events, Walk To End ALS on June 21, 2019
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, ALS awareness, ALS Awareness Month, als stories, community, families with ALS, finding a cure for als, living with ALS, walk to end als
On June 15, Don Doan participated in the Walk to End ALS in Brampton for the fourth time. It’s been three years since he was able to walk the course, but his positive outlook hasn’t changed. There are always people around, including his wife, Pam, to help with his wheelchair. “Generally, it’s a fight over […]
Published in Events, Walk To End ALS on June 20, 2019
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, advocacy, ALS, ALS awareness, ALS Awareness Month, community, families with ALS, funding als research
Karen Van Luven, 53, and her mom, 84, both get around their apartment using walkers. Karen moved in to her mom’s apartment nine years ago to be her caregiver. Her mom was experiencing mobility issues and could no longer walk without assistance. “Now that I am living with ALS, the roles are a bit reversed,” […]
Published in Events, Walk To End ALS on June 18, 2019
Tags: ALS researching, find a cure for ALS, finding a cure for als, funding als research, how to live with als, living with ALS, motor neuron disease
Lise Michaud’s brother, Eddy Lefrançois, made every day count. He lived nearly three decades with ALS, proudly defying the odds and outliving his “expiry date” (EXP: 04.97) which he tattooed on the inside of his forearm as a reminder to live with passion and purpose. Eddy’s personal motto – “Let’s Roll” – always kept him […]
Published in Walk To End ALS on June 13, 2019
Tags: als canada, als diagnosis, ALS research, als society of canada, Donate to ALS, donate to als research, donating to ALS, finding a cure for als, finding out you have ALS, having als, how to handle als, supporting people with als, walk to end als
At the rink where he has coached boys’ ice hockey for more than 10 years, Adam Welburn-Ross, 43, is fondly known as “Coach Sunshine.” He wears his positivity as a badge of honour and now that he is living with ALS, his disposition is helping everyone around him appreciate every precious moment of the day. […]
Published in Events, Walk To End ALS on June 6, 2019
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, ALS research, Donate to ALS, donating to ALS, finding a cure for als, fundraise for ALS, fundraising for als, how to donate to ALS, How to donate to ALS research, how to help ALS, how to help people with als, walk to end als
An active mother of three young children, Stephanie Christiansen Hall wants people to know she has ALS – but she wants everyone to know that her disease is only part of her story. Apart from living with ALS, Stephanie is – and has always been – a selfless person with a positive nature, a desire […]
Published in Events, Walk To End ALS on June 3, 2019
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, ALS funding, ALS research, ALS research and funding, canadian ALS research, find a cure for ALS, finding a cure for als, funding als research
Brian Bower has always been passionate about sports. Above all, he is an ardent fisherman, known on occasion to snatch 15 minutes from his day for the joy of casting a line in one of the abundant waterways in and around Welland, where he lives. Brian also loves soccer, tennis, lacrosse, hockey and baseball. An […]
Published in Events, Walk To End ALS on May 29, 2019
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, als canada, als ontario, ALS research, als support, clinical trials als, end als, finding a cure for als, funding als, funding als research, funding als trials, funding research for als, researching als, the walk to end als, walk to end als
Talking about his dad’s ALS diagnosis, Connor Stratton, 17, says, “It’s a hard thing to understand at times, but it’s good to try to look at the bright side because my dad still has his spirits up. He’s still happy around us, and that’s something that reflects on all of us.” Kerry Stratton, a well-known […]
Published in Events, Walk To End ALS on May 29, 2019
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, als canada, als clinical trials, als ontario support, ALS research, als support, clinical trials als, end als, finding a cure for als, funding als, funding als research, funding als trials, support als ontario, the walk to end als, walk to end als
Since receiving his ALS diagnosis in February 2018, Mark Ianniello’s life has changed in profound ways. He is a 49-year-old father to three teenagers and can no longer work to help support his family. ALS has affected his speech and his mobility. Mark admits to having ups and downs. Despite the challenges, he says ALS […]
Published in Events, Walk To End ALS on May 23, 2019
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, ALS, als cure, als research is important, als research matters, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cure, motor neuron disease, treating als, walk to end als
For the past 40 years, Dale Hodgins has been saving lives as a paramedic and volunteer firefighter in Kingston, Ontario. In December 2018, he was diagnosed with ALS – a disease he was already familiar with through his work. As far back as the 80s and 90s, Dale remembers driving people living with ALS home […]
Published in Events, Walk To End ALS on May 15, 2019
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, ALS, als cure, als research is important, als research matters, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cure, finding a cure for als, finding a cure for motor neurone disease, motor neuron disease, motor neurone disease cure, treating als, walk to end als
According to Kevin, there’s one word that sums up ALS: a thief. “ALS is a thief – and a remorseless one at that,” he explains in writing. Now that he can no longer speak, he uses eye gaze technology to type messages with his eyes – his only method of communicating. “The sooner we can arrest […]
Published in WALK for ALS, Walk To End ALS on May 29, 2018
Tags: Ottawa, WALK for ALS, walk to end als
When Mike Rannie first noticed a problem in his right hand in October 2016, he assumed it had something to do with the arthritis he had been living with for 14 years. In fact, the lack of mobility was an early symptom of ALS. After a series of tests and consultations with neurologists, Mike received […]
