On Saturday, September 16, the ALS community will come together to “pull” for change at the ALS Canada Pull to End ALS presented by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Canada Inc. A test of skill, grit, and determination, teams come together at York University in Toronto, Ontario to race against the clock to pull a 42,000-lb transport truck – by hand – for 100 metres while raising critical funds to help support the more than 3,000 Canadians living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and their families.
ALS is a devastating disease that moves with startling swiftness. It progressively paralyzes people and over time, someone living with ALS will lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, swallow, and eventually breath. Any person has a 1 in 300 chance of receiving an ALS diagnosis in their lifetime. There is no cure for ALS and few treatment options exist for most people living with the disease.
“The strength and determination it takes to pull a transport truck is nothing compared to the resiliency and strength we see amongst the thousands of Canadians living with ALS,” says Tammy Moore, CEO, ALS Canada. “The ALS Society of Canada supports people living with ALS and their families by funding critical research, advocating for treatments, and empowering the ALS community with the information they need to make informed decisions. The ALS Canada Pull to End ALS provides a unique way of building awareness and raising funds to help support our mission work and make a difference for the ALS community.”
For Tony Mongillo, who lost his father, Joe, to ALS in 2010, this event is a chance to bring together family and friends. “I wanted to honour his memory by doing what he did his whole life: help others,” says Tony. “By raising money for research, I hope I can help prevent other families from going through what we did. That would be the end game.” As captain of team “No Ordinary Joes” as a fun tribute to Joe, who was anything but ordinary, Tony hopes to reclaim their Pull Championship title and help raise critical funds for the cause.
The fundraising goal for the Pull to End ALS is $215,000 and net proceeds will be invested in community-based support services for people and families living with ALS in Ontario, provincial and federal advocacy initiatives, and the most promising ALS research in Canada. In addition to the exciting main event, the day will also feature delicious food trucks, a silent auction, and plenty of team building activities.
Located at York University’s Founder’s Road East Lot (4700 Keele St, Toronto), teams will begin to gather at 9:15 a.m. for registration, a pre-pull warm-up, and a silent auction. The opening ceremonies will take place at 10:00 a.m., hosted by Canadian actor and comic Justin Landry. Team competitions will begin at 10:10 a.m. and conclude with a closing awards ceremony and group photos. The ALS Canada Pull to End ALS will take place rain or shine.
WHEN: Saturday, September 16, 2023
9:15 – 10:00 a.m. Team registration
10:00 a.m. Opening remarks
10:10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Team pulls take place
1:30 p.m. Closing ceremonies
WHERE: York University, Founder’s Road East Lot
The event is not open to the public, but donations can be made at www.als.ca/pulltoendals.
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For more information
ALS Society of Canada
media@als.ca
437-703-5440
You can make a difference.
Donations allow people living with ALS to receive one-on-one guidance and in-home assistance, access to life-enhancing equipment, and have compassionate community support.