High-energy fundraiser challenges teams to pull a 42,000-lb transport truck
in support of people affected by ALS
TORONTO, September 17 – This fall, the ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada) is taking its adrenaline-pumping Pull to End ALS fundraiser on the road for the first time, expanding beyond Toronto to also include Simcoe County. On September 20, at York University in Toronto, and on October 19 at Georgian College in Barrie, teams of up to 14 people will race against the clock to pull a transport truck by hand, raising funds that directly support people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and advance Canada’s most promising research.
Pulling a 42,000-lb truck over 100 metres showcases strength and unity in support of the ALS community. It symbolizes the burden of an ALS diagnosis and the resolve of people living with the disease. The two events aim to raise $379,000, with each participant contributing toward a minimum fundraising goal. The funds support ALS Canada’s Community Services programs, which include virtual support groups, webinars, and reliable information to help families manage the disease. They also contribute to the ALS Canada Research Program, which supports vital studies focused on understanding and treating ALS.
“We’re excited to bring the ALS Canada Pull to End ALS to Simcoe County. It’s a fun and meaningful challenge that unites friends, families, and colleagues in honour of people affected by ALS,” says Tammy Moore, CEO of ALS Canada. “This event combines grit, teamwork, and compassion that demonstrates what we can achieve when we work together to achieve a world free of ALS.”
ALS is a relentless disease that progressively paralyzes individuals by preventing the brain from communicating with the muscles. As a result, people with ALS often face a swift decline in the ability to talk, walk, eat, swallow, and eventually breathe. There is currently no cure for the disease that carries a lifetime risk of 1 in 300 for each of us.
“My dad fought ALS for four years before passing at 71. I joined the ALS Canada Pull to End ALS in Toronto to honour his lifelong commitment to helping others, and I have been proud to take part for many years,” says Tony Mongillo, who embarks on his fourth Pull event this year with hopes of bringing home the winner’s trophy for fastest time. “This year, our team, the ‘No Ordinary Joes’, a name that reflects how extraordinary my father was, is excited to be part of the inaugural Simcoe County event, helping to kick things off and challenging the community to join us. Every dollar we raise goes toward research and supports that could spare other families the pain we went through.”
Donate to help make a difference in the lives of people affected by ALS: als.ca/pulltoendals.
ALS Canada Pull to End ALS event details:
Toronto
When: Saturday, September 20, 2025
9:15 am to 10:00 am – Team registration
10:00 am – Opening remarks
10:10 am to 1:30 pm – Team Pulls take place
1:30 pm – Closing ceremonies
Location: Founders Rd East Lot – York University, North York, ON M3J 3K1
Getting there: Travel by TTC with a short walk from York University station. Parking is free for participants with a code provided for the HONK app.
Register at: pulltoendals.als.ca/Toronto
Simcoe County
When: Sunday, October 19, 2025
9:15 am to 10:00 am – Team registration
10:00 am – Opening remarks
10:10 am to 1:30 pm – Team Pulls take place
1:30 pm – Closing ceremonies
Location: Parking Lot F – Georgian College, 1 Georgian Dr, Barrie, ON L4M 4H8
Parking: Parking is free for participants with a code provided for the HONK app.
Register at: pulltoendals.als.ca/simcoe/
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, ALS Canada is a registered charity whose work is powered by generous donors who share our vision of a world free of ALS.
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Join the conversation and connect with the ALS community online. Find ALS Canada on X, Instagram, or like our page on Facebook. Visit als.ca to find out more.
For more information:
ALS Society of Canada
media@als.ca
437-703-5402
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Donations provide crucial services and information to people living with ALS and allow us to invest in research and advocacy dedicated to improving quality of life.