Pull together a team, raise funds and race to pull a 42,000-lb truck
in support of people affected by ALS and fund promising research
TORONTO, October 15, 2024 – This fall, the ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada) is uniting thrill-seeking colleagues, friends, and family for a friendly competition in the ALS Canada Pull to End ALS on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at York University in North York, Ontario. This unique event supports vital research and support programs for people affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a devastating neuromuscular disease.
Participants will face a challenging test of strength and teamwork as they attempt to pull a 42,000-lb transport truck 100 meters, symbolizing the immense burden of an ALS diagnosis and its impacts on the 4,000 Canadians living with the disease and their families.
ALS 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.
“ALS Canada’s strength lies in the collective efforts of our community. An ALS diagnosis can be devastating for both the person and their circle of friends and family,” says Tammy Moore, CEO of ALS Canada. “By participating in and generously supporting the Pull to End ALS, you are helping provide crucial resources that alleviate some of the burden associated with this disease through direct support, connections to community-based resources, and access to support groups, making a tangible difference in the lives of people living with ALS. We are deeply grateful to everyone involved in this event for creating a meaningful experience with a tremendous impact.”
Each team, consisting of up to 14 people, is tasked with raising $4,000, contributing to ALS Canada’s mission to fund the most promising research into the disease and potential treatments, as well as supportive services provided in communities across the province. These services provide essential equipment, trusted information, and resources to help people affected by ALS navigate its complexities and the healthcare system.
For Monica Boaretto, whose father passed away in 2012 from ALS, taking part in the event has allowed her family to express gratitude and ensure that others receive the support they once did.
“The diagnosis was almost harder than losing him because of the heartbreak and suffering we anticipated ahead of us. An ALS Canada Community Lead was at our door almost immediately after we registered, and they helped us navigate the disease and even continued to check in after we lost our dad,” says Monica. “Our team, ‘For Pete’s Sake,’ has been participating in this event since 2013, and we all look forward to it every year because it’s a lot of fun and an opportunity to connect with others who have been through a similar experience.”
Donate to help make a difference in the lives of people affected by ALS: pulltoendals.ca.
ALS Canada Pull to End ALS Event Details:
When: Saturday, October 19, 2024
9:15 to 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
Location: Founders Rd East Lot – York University, North York, ON M3J 3K1
Getting to the ALS Canada Pull End ALS: Travel by TTC with a short walk from Pioneer Village station. Paid parking is available.
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. More than 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 that receives no core government funding – our 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