On Sunday, September 24, cyclists will come together to gear up for change at the third annual ALS Canada Revolution Ride in Dundas, Ontario. Participants come together to build awareness and fundraise in support of people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and their families.
Powered by a team of ALS Canada volunteers, the Revolution Ride was created to inspire and spark action: to increase awareness of ALS, to expand our community and to raise funds to ensure sustainable investments 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.
“My cousin Doug passed away from ALS more than 10 years ago. Since then, so much has changed,” says Tammy Moore, CEO, ALS Canada, and Revolution Ride participant. “If not for the community coming together at fundraising events like Revolution Ride and the support of our generous donors, we would not be where we are today – with more treatments available than ever before and important investments being made in ALS research and advocacy to help move the needle for people diagnosed today to help ensure there’s a better future for tomorrow. But there’s still much more that needs to be done, which is why events like these are critical to continuing the momentum.”
Matthew Horowitz, whose father Michael was diagnosed with ALS in 2022, couldn’t agree more. “I knew the moment we found out about my dad’s diagnosis that I wanted to do something – I couldn’t just sit around and do nothing.” And so, Matthew took on the challenge of raising vital funds for ALS Canada, to help people living with ALS and their families – just like his. “ALS Canada has been such a support for me and my family; I’m glad to be able to give back. Being able to raise awareness for this disease and hopefully inspire others to do so – is just one way I can hopefully help bring us closer to a future without ALS.”
Matthew and his team are leading the charge with fundraising efforts totaling more than $90,000 – bringing ALS Canada almost halfway to the 2023 fundraising goal of $250,000, but we still have a ways to go!
Today, more than 3,000 Canadians are living with ALS – a terminal disease that progresses with devastating swiftness. Unforgiving and relentless, people living with ALS face progressive paralysis and, over time, will lose the ability to walk, talk, swallow, eat, and eventually breathe. Each year, about 1,000 Canadians are diagnosed with ALS, and another 1,000 Canadians will die from the disease.
Proceeds from the ALS Canada Revolution Ride go to community-based support services for people and families living with ALS in Ontario, provincial and federal advocacy initiatives for access to treatments, and investments in Canada’s most promising ALS research. There are three routes to choose from this year – 12km, 40km, and 90km.
Start and finish lines are at the escarpment-side brewery in the heart of Dundas, at Shawn & Ed Brewing Co. The day promises kick-off festivities and a post-ride celebration where all are welcome to celebrate everyone’s accomplishments. For those unable to make the trip to Dundas, a virtual option from a location and date of the person’s choice is also available through Strava.
Participants can register in one of three categories: as individuals challenging themselves to complete a personal goal, as a team of family and friends in support of someone with ALS, or as a corporate team looking for a rewarding activity to do with colleagues. Individuals or teams raising more than $1,500 become a Revolutionary and will also earn special perks, including a custom cycling jersey, recognition along the route and more.
Register for or donate to the ALS Canada Revolution Ride at https://www.revolutionride.ca/.
ALS Canada Revolution Ride Event Details:
When: Sunday September 24, 2023
Location Shawn & Ed Brewery Co. – 65 Hatt Street, Dundas, Ontario
Time: 8:00 a.m. for 90km cyclists / 9:00 a.m. for 40km cyclists / 10:00 a.m. for 12km cyclists
Distance: In-person 12, 40, & 90 km routes or virtual participation on Strava
Who: Revolution Ride participants show support for people and families living with ALS. The event will be followed by a post-ride celebration beginning around 11:30 a.m. with highlights including a raffle, live music by Menno Valley Sound, food, and drink at Shawn & Ed Brewery Co. for friends, family, and supporters in the community to join the cyclists and celebrate the ride.
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For more information
ALS Society of Canada
media@als.ca
437-703-5440
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