Award continues Kevin’s legacy of helping young people affected by ALS
pursue their educational and career aspirations
TORONTO, September 9, 2026 – The ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada), together with the family and friends of Kevin Daly through the Kevin Daly Bursary Fund, is proud to announce the 2026 recipients of the ALS Canada Kevin Daly Bursary. Five post-secondary students personally impacted by ALS will each receive a $2,500 bursary to support their studies during the 2026-2027 academic year.
Established in 2023, the Bursary honours Kevin Daly, a loving father and husband who was deeply committed to supporting young people affected by ALS. Following Kevin’s passing in 2024 from ALS, his legacy continues through the ongoing dedication of his wife, Elena; daughters, Erica and Allison; and a trusted circle of family and friends who remain committed to helping students pursue their educational aspirations.
“Kevin’s compassion, generosity, and commitment to helping others left a lasting impact on the ALS community, and ALS Canada is honoured to work alongside his family, friends, and supporters in continuing to carry his memory forward,” said Chris Pon, Vice-President of Fund Development at ALS Canada. “Not only does this Bursary relieve some of the financial pressure of post-secondary education, but it also recognizes students whose experiences with ALS have inspired them to make meaningful contributions toward a world free of ALS.”
This year’s recipients have demonstrated exceptional resilience, leadership, and a commitment to giving back to the ALS community through advocacy, fundraising, volunteerism, caregiving, and awareness-building. While pursuing a wide range of educational and career aspirations, each recipient is making a meaningful difference in the lives of people and families affected by ALS.
“Our family is so grateful to everyone for the overwhelming support of this bursary. As a family who has experienced ALS firsthand, we appreciate the recipients’ courage and openness in sharing their own experiences,” said Elena Daly. “To be able to pass along some kindness in honour of Kevin’s life and legacy brings us all a lot of joy.”
ALS is a relentless disease that progressively paralyzes individuals by disrupting communication between the brain and the muscles. As a result, people with ALS often face a swift decline in the ability to talk, walk, eat, swallow, and eventually breathe. ALS affects nearly 4,000 Canadians today. There is currently no cure and few treatments for the disease.
2026 recipients:
Anika Brants, 20, is entering her third year at McMaster University, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering and Management. A former professional cyclist who competed internationally with Team Canada, she continues to channel her love of cycling into the ALS Canada Revolution Ride, supporting ALS awareness and research in honour of her mother, Tracy, who is living with ALS. Inspired by a passion for innovation and problem-solving, Anika hopes to apply her skills to develop solutions that improve quality of life for others. She is also actively involved with McMaster’s ALS Club and plans to take on an executive role this year.
“Receiving the ALS Canada Kevin Daly Bursary is a real honour. Financial stress is a reality for every student, and receiving this bursary helps take some of that pressure away, allowing me to spend more time at home with my family,” said Anika. “It gives me the opportunity to focus more on being present for my family and coming home on weekends, rather than worrying as much about the financial side of being a student.”
Saige Johnston, 21, is beginning her fourth year in the Family Studies and Human Development program at the University of Guelph. Her experience as a young caregiver for her mother, Taya Jones, who passed away from ALS in 2022, inspired her passion for supporting families facing illness and caregiving challenges. Saige founded the University of Guelph’s ALS Club, leading awareness and fundraising initiatives for ALS Canada. She is also an active member of the Young Caregivers Collective of Canada, where she supports and advocates for young caregivers nationwide. Through her education and community involvement, Saige is dedicated to ensuring young caregivers feel seen, supported, and connected.
“Being a recipient of the ALS Canada Kevin Daly Bursary is incredibly rewarding,” said Saige. “I am honoured that ALS Canada and the Daly family have considered me deserving of this bursary and given me the opportunity to share my story. Receiving this bursary makes me feel that my experience with ALS and my advocacy work are being seen, heard and recognized, and I am deeply grateful for that.”
Matthew Murray, 25, is pursuing a Master of Nuclear Engineering through the University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering at the University of Waterloo. After losing his mother, Susan, to ALS, Matthew’s experience as a caregiver shaped both his resilience and career aspirations. Watching his mother depend on medical equipment at home gave him a personal understanding of how much families affected by ALS rely on stable, uninterrupted electricity, as it keeps people we love comfortable, connected, and supported through every stage. Through his studies and involvement in the Durham Region ALS Canada Walk to End ALS, and plans to honour his mother’s love of cooking and hospitality through future fundraising events, Matthew is committed to keeping her memory alive.
“I am so grateful to the Daly family for their generosity and for creating an opportunity that honours families touched by ALS. It is a reminder that the ALS community looks out for one another, and that my mother’s memory lives on in the people who continue to fight for this cause,” said Matthew. “As I return to my studies, it is a source of motivation I will carry with me as I work toward a career powering the systems that so many caregiving families depend on every day.”
Carter Sullivan, 18, is pursuing post-secondary studies while continuing to develop his hockey career. Carter was 12 years old when his father, Sean, passed away from ALS, an experience that shaped his resilience and outlook on life. Following his father’s diagnosis, Carter and his family organized a community walk that raised more than $12,000 for ALS support in Nova Scotia. He remains actively involved in fundraising and volunteer initiatives through his hockey and local communities. He is committed to honouring his father’s legacy by helping others and making a positive impact wherever he can.
“I am honoured to receive the ALS Canada Kevin Daly Bursary. This will not only help me fund my education while playing hockey, but receiving this award makes me feel special,” said Carter. “ALS has taken so much from our family, and having this support means the world to me, and it makes me feel acknowledged and heard. Thank you to everyone who supported this bursary and made this a possibility for me and my family.”
Benjamin Webb, 18, is pursuing post-secondary studies in coding in Saskatchewan. Growing up in a multigenerational ALS family, Benjamin has been a caregiver to his mother, Paula, who is living with SOD1-ALS, and learned at 17 that he also carries the SOD1 gene. Rather than defining him, this experience inspired his commitment to advocacy and helping create a better future for families affected by ALS. Benjamin has worked alongside ALS Canada and the ALS community to advocate for increased federal investment in the Canadian Collaboration to Cure ALS, sharing his lived experience with parliamentarians and policymakers on Parliament Hill. He hopes to build a career in science and coding, using his skills to contribute to meaningful progress for people and families affected by ALS.
“Receiving the ALS Canada Kevin Daly Bursary is incredibly meaningful and provides financial relief for myself and my parents,” said Benjamin. “Since elementary school, I’ve always found science and coding fascinating, and I look forward to pursuing those interests through my education. Seeing the impact that advancements in ALS research can have on families like mine gives me hope for the future and allows me to focus on building the life and career I want to pursue.”
About ALS and the ALS Society of Canada
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an unrelenting and currently terminal disease. It progressively paralyzes people because the brain is no longer able to communicate with the muscles of the body that we are typically able to move at will. Over time, as the muscles of the body break down, someone living with ALS will lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, swallow, and eventually breathe. Nearly 4,000 Canadians live with ALS and approximately 1,000 Canadians are diagnosed each year. Four out of five people living with ALS will die within two to five years of their diagnosis.
The ALS Society of Canada is working to change what it means to live with ALS. Grounded in and informed by the Canadian ALS community, we respond to the urgent unmet need for life-changing treatments by investing in high-quality research that will fuel scientific discovery and by engaging industry, supporting increased clinical capacity, and advocating for equitable, affordable, and timely access to proven therapies.
Responding to the tremendous need for current and credible ALS knowledge, awareness, and education, we empower Canadians affected by ALS to navigate the current realities of ALS, be informed consumers of ALS information, and advocate effectively for change. In Ontario, we provide direct community services to help people navigate ALS.
Founded in 1977, we are a registered charity whose work is powered by generous donors who share our vision of a world free of ALS.
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