Walk, ride, or pull – no challenge is too big when it comes to supporting a world free of ALS. Year round, ALS Canada events bring together the community, demonstrating your commitment to raising awareness, honouring the people we’ve loved and lost, and ultimately helping change the future of ALS.
Creating change with community: ALS Canada 2023 events
For everything that ALS takes, the connection of a community is one thing it can’t. Each year, we are reminded of the strength, commitment, and impact the ALS community has as we come together.
We’ve said it before – our events are more than just fundraisers; they are a true demonstration of a commitment to changing what it means to live with ALS. From local communities to the greater ALS community, hundreds of people rally together for change at our annual events.
In 2023, the power of community was hard to ignore. For Tony Mongillo, who lost his father, Joe, to ALS in 2010, participating in the ALS Canada Pull to End ALS is a chance to bring together family and friends. Mongillo’s team, “No Ordinary Joes”, is a large and energetic force at the event passionately showing their support for people living with ALS and their families. Jumping in as extra pushing power when opposing teams need a little help – Tony and his team made it very clear: community support creates change.
It’s hard to deny the feeling of unity in the face of adversity as we come together – a feeling that can resonate more than the impact of funds raised. “So many others across Canada need the same level of support and care we received. It’s critical that we come together as a community to fund ALS Canada’s essential services, and ALS research that could one day find a cure,” says Michael Petrachenko, who lost his wife, Monique, to ALS in 2022. After years of participating in the ALS Canada Walk to End ALS with Monique by his side, at the 2023 Walk to End ALS, Michael continues to lead “Team Unique Monique”, sure that she’d be so happy to see them raising money and awareness in her honour.
A new face at the 2023 ALS Canada Revolution Ride, Matthew Horowitz showcased the impact getting into gear, with the support of community, creates. Though not a big cyclist himself, Matthew and his team “Big Mike and the Boys” rallied together for change after his father, Michael*, was diagnosed with ALS in January 2022 (*Michael Horowitz passed away May 2024). The team raised a staggering $110,659 – Matthew himself raising more than $104,000 of that total – to help people living with ALS and their families just like his.
Together, we can achieve more. The presence of a community connected is strong at ALS Canada events across Canada – a potent reminder that as a community we are creating change, raising awareness, and working a world free of ALS.
Teaming up to take our shot with the ALS Canada Buck-A-Puck for ALS
Shifting from making a shot on the opposing net to taking a stand against ALS was an easy choice for three young hockey players from Etobicoke.
In September 2021, Steve Daly – coach for the Humber Valley Sharks U12 A hockey team – was diagnosed with ALS. Although disease progression persisted, Steve never backed down from being a strong coach and embodying the values of perseverance and determination he encouraged in his players. After losing their coach to this relentless disease in January 2022 the Humber Valley Sharks vowed to make ALS history. Before everyone knew it, Buck-A-Puck for ALS was born with a concept simple yet powerful: raise a buck, shoot a puck.
Buck-A-Puck for ALS began as a community event with The Stevie Fever for ALS Foundation, to honour Coach Steve, organized by Sarah Lopez and Heather Evans, along with Joshua Lopez, Liam Muffitt, and George Daly of the Humber Valley Sharks. “Buck-A-Puck for ALS was a way to channel all the emotion experienced as Steve was challenged by the disease – to show the kids that there is always a way to help, even if it seems like there is nothing you can do,” Heather explains.
After just the first year, the team had raised more than $90,000 within a small Etobicoke community – a true testament to the power of coming together. “What we’ve already accomplished through Buck-A-Puck speaks to what can happen in the future – there is a lot of potential with what it can achieve to make a change,” Liam says. To take their grassroots fundraiser to the next level, the team partnered with ALS Canada in 2023 evolving to a nation-wide initiative as the ALS Canada Buck-A-Puck for ALS.
With support from hockey players and fans across Canada, taking their shot at the net to change what it means to live with ALS, Buck-A-Puck for ALS got one step closer to the ultimate goal of $1 million raised for ALS research. In 2023, thanks to a passionate hockey community and a shared commitment to creating a world free of ALS, Buck-A-Puck for ALS raised $60,000 and counting! ALS Canada is excited to continue to work alongside the Buck-A-Puck organizers – fostering the growth of this passionate initiative, uniting a love for hockey with the desire to make a difference to create a lasting impact in the fight against this debilitating disease.
Evoking change through connection
The impact of an ALS diagnosis is unrelenting. Navigating a reality no one chooses but is forced to face, the accompanying challenges can feel isolating.
At ALS Canada, we believe in the power of storytelling. Creating the space to share lived experiences and invite conversation to generate real impact. Impact in fostering a sense of connection to remind you that you are not alone while navigating ALS and educating others about the realities of living with the disease, inspiring them to get involved. In 2023, we shared the stories of our communities, highlighting the realities of living with the disease and the urgent need for change during for our “While I still can…” campaign.
ALS community members who shared their stories in 2023, including Mehboob (left), Chris, and Sandra
Community members Mehboob, Sandra, and Chris shared their experiences of their lives changed by ALS. Honest, direct displays of the impact of this devastating disease not only creating awareness, but also illustrating that we’re in this together. In the midst of raising funds for a world free of ALS during Giving Tuesday and the holiday season, our community raised their voices on social media in response to the experiences shared. Offering words of support, reflection, and hope – uniting us.
During our “While I still can…” campaign, we witnessed, as Mehboob explains, “what collective compassion and commitment can achieve.” The stories of lived experience and the truth of what people living with ALS and their families are going through drove involvement and commitment for a difference raising more than $605,000 in generous donations. A testament to the power of storytelling, our truths, and that we are not alone – there is a community right here.
Learn more about our work in 2023 by exploring our latest annual report.
Canada continues solidifying its reputation as a leader in ALS research innovation, as evidenced by the magnitude and quality of conversations, knowledge sharing, and relationship building at the 2024 ALS Canada Research Forum. From April 27 to 29, researchers, industry partners, ALS Canada supporters, and more attended the in-person, three-day event, that aimed to move the needle on research toward effective therapies and avenues to improve the quality of life for people affected by ALS.
The weekend kicked off with a keynote presentation by neurologist Prof. Orla Hardiman on PRECISION ALS, a pan-European collaborative platform that brings together researchers, industry experts, and more to accelerate drug discovery and treatment for ALS. Later that evening, attendees heard from community members Mehboob and Sophie Damji. They also learned more about the global work of the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations from the CEO, Cathy Cummings, and the role ALS Canada plays in working toward a world free of ALS.
Throughout the weekend, attendees were treated to engaging presentations from researchers of all levels, including students, doctoral candidates, postdoctoral fellows, and senior researchers and clinicians. Session topics were diverse – from using virtual reality to improve breathing in people living with ALS, to identifying environmental risk factors for ALS, to poster presentations by up-and-coming junior researchers, to a panel discussion led by seasoned researchers on what makes a great principal investigator. These presentations and conversations further cemented the ALS research community’s deep-rooted commitment to finding a cure for ALS through collaboration and partnership.
For Canadian ALS Learning Institute graduate and ALS Canada Community Ambassador Andrew Dundas, the Research Forum was fascinating and an opportunity to share his lived experiences with researchers. “I’m hoping to understand the research [on] not only for advancement and the cause of ALS, ultimately [to find] a cure, but also for opportunities to improve the quality of life for patients with ALS like myself while a search for a cure is found.”
Andrew reminds us of the reason knowledge-sharing events like the ALS Canada Research Forum are needed – to foster hope, collaboration, and solutions in the pursuit of creating a world free of ALS. He reminds us that finding a cure is not the only goal to strive for and that working towards improving quality of life is just as important.
For Jenny Zhang, a junior researcher at the University of Ottawa and the winner of the Research Forum’s Minute to Win It and poster competitions, the event was a valuable experience that allowed her to network and receive feedback on her work. “As someone currently exploring potential career possibilities, the 2024 ALS Research Forum allowed me to learn more about various ALS research pathways that I wasn’t aware of…All of these experiences will support my progress and improve my work.”
Jenny also echoes the sentiment of many Research Forum attendees that collaboration is critical for advancing ALS research. “I believe that uniting researchers with varying scientific backgrounds and perspectives can help drive innovation and speed up the development of treatments for complex diseases like ALS,” she said. “Bridging together researchers and clinicians and people living with or affected by ALS has provided a sense of hope for the community to continue making progress in ALS research and improve quality of life.”
The 2024 ALS Canada Research Forum is made possible thanks to generous support from our platinum sponsor, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Canada; our gold sponsor, Amylyx Pharmaceuticals; and our silver sponsors, Biogen and QurAlis. We thank our sponsors for their support and generosity in fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and capacity building at the 2024 ALS Canada Research.
ALS Society of Canada rallying the community together to bring awareness to nearly 4,000 Canadians living with ALS and their families.
Toronto, Ontario – ALS Awareness Month kicks off June 1, as the ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada) brings the community together to build recognition of what amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is and the impact the relentless disease has on nearly 4,000 Canadians living with the disease and their families.
“An ALS diagnosis can be devastating. What we want people to know is – you are not alone,” says Tammy Moore, CEO, ALS Canada. “ALS Canada’s mission is to work with the ALS community to improve the lives of Canadians affected by ALS through advancing research, care, advocacy, and information. We realize that with each person diagnosed, there are roughly six additional people we touch within their circle of care. It’s important that we’re here, united together in our support. At ALS Canada, we do this by empowering people living with ALS to navigate the current realities of the disease, be informed consumers of ALS information, and advocate effectively for change. We also invest in high-quality research, that will fuel scientific discovery and hopefully lead to more approved therapies and improved quality of life.”
ALS is a neuromuscular disease that progressively paralyzes people because the brain can no longer communicate with the muscles of the body that we are typically able to move at will. 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. In addition to advancing research, care, advocacy and information, ALS Canada provides community-based services, including direct support provided by the ALS Canada Equipment Program and ALS Canada Community Leads to Ontario families living with ALS.
This June, help us recognize ALS Awareness Month by getting involved with ALS Canada in a variety of ways:
- Purple for Awareness. Keep your eyes open for lighting and illuminations of local landmarks in your area as they go purple to recognize this important month. Check out the CN Tower, Nathan Phillips Square, and Niagara Falls throughout June. Take action! Snap a picture and post on your social media channels and tag @ALSCanada to show your support.
- Lou Gehrig Day. Tune in on June 2 as Major League Baseball (MLB) recognizes Lou Gehrig Day, honouring the baseball great for his legacy and the awareness created for ALS around the world. The Blue Jays will mark the day at their home game.
- Global ALS Awareness Day. On Global ALS Awareness Day (June 21), ALS Canada will host a live webinar featuring the Chairs of the Canadian ALS Research Network (CALS) and provide an overview of the Top 10 exciting things about our understanding of ALS in 2024 presented by Dr. David Taylor, Vice-President, Research and Strategic Partnerships, ALS Canada. Register for free.
- Get Walk Ready! Get connected with the ALS community by joining the ALS Canada Walk to End ALS; for a complete list of dates and locations, visit walktoendals.ca.
- Become a Monthly Donor. During the month of June, sign up for our Circle of Hope Monthly Giving Program and your monthly gift will be matched for three months thanks to our generous matching donor. Sign up today!
- Share your story and stay connected. Whether you want to share your journey or keep a loved one’s memory alive, we encourage you to follow ALS Canada on social media at @ALSCanada on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what #aWorldFreeOfALS means to you.
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 that receives no core government funding – our work is powered by generous donors who share our vision of a future without ALS.
Join the conversation and connect with the ALS community online. Find ALS Canada on Twitter, Instagram, or like our page on Facebook.
For more information
ALS Society of Canada
media@als.ca
437-703-5402
That’s a wrap! Our September events have come to an end at ALS Canada, and we can’t help but look back at how the community came out to ride and pull to end ALS. Both the ALS Canada Pull to End ALS and ALS Canada Revolution Ride bring us together in unique and challenging ways, demonstrating our commitment to raising awareness, honouring the people we’ve loved and lost, and ultimately helping change the future of ALS.
The Pull to End ALS never fails to make an impact – while the shock of challenging yourself to pull a 42,000-lb transport truck is mighty, the energy everyone brings to the event with the shared goal of a future without ALS is mightier. As teams stepped up to pull, cheered on by friends and family, we were reminded that the weight of the challenge is nothing compared to the weight 3,000 Canadians living with ALS face every day. This year, the Pull to End ALS raised an incredible $189,000 and counting – funds that are critical for research investment, community-based support services, and advocacy initiatives! Check out the event’s energy and reflect on some of our favourite moments of the day by visiting the photo album.
The ALS community knows the power we hold together, and at this year’s Revolution Ride, we weren’t afraid to show it! Coming together in picturesque Dundas, Ontario, riders geared up to take on the new 12km route and the familiar 40km and 90km routes – riding to change what it means to receive an ALS diagnosis. You can look back at the magic of the day in our photo album – reflecting on the sunny skies and inspiring energy encompassing the event as we came together to make a difference. With the generous support of our riders, those who donated, and the event volunteer committee, the event was an outstanding success, raising $280,000 and going – all to help in our work to create a future without ALS!
ALS Canada would like to thank everyone who participated and supported the Pull to End ALS and Revolution Ride. This September was a reminder that together, we are stronger as we work toward our shared cause – changing the reality of receiving an ALS diagnosis. Though the year isn’t over yet – stay tuned to our social channels to see what exciting events are happening next!
Support the ALS cause and raise critical funds for a future without ALS
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
Pull to End ALS – a unique fundraiser to support people and families living with ALS
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
Teams pull together to raise money to support a future without ALS
TORONTO – It takes more than just pure strength to pull a 42,000-lb transport truck by hand for 100 metres. It takes teamwork and a passionate commitment to pull together for change – for a future without amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). That’s what teams of 10 will be competing to do on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at CityView Toronto, 20 Polson Street as part of the ALS Canada Pull to End ALS.
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 ALS Canada Pull to End ALS is an empowering fundraising event where up to 15 teams who have signed up to raise a minimum of $4,000 per team are pitted against one another in support of the ALS Society of Canada and the ALS cause. Showcasing grit and determination, the teams will race against the clock to pull the transport truck 100 metres. The team with the fastest clocked time will be declared the winner of this fast-paced demonstration of herculean strength.
“Pulling a transport truck may sound difficult, but it’s nothing compared to the weight that 3,000 Canadians and their families carry with them every day living with ALS,” says Tammy Moore, CEO of ALS Canada. “ALS Canada supports people living with ALS and their families today and in the future 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 people living with ALS.”
Rookies in the 2019 ALS Canada Plane Pull to End ALS, Team GUTSS won that competition and was one of the highest fundraising teams. Team GUTSS – friends for over 35-years – will re-assemble for the ALS Canada Pull to End ALS in memory of their high school friend and former football teammate, Mark Ianniello. Mark was diagnosed with ALS in February 2018 and passed away shortly after the event in November 2019.
“When the email went out to previous Team GUTSS participants for this year’s event, all hands went up,” says Blair Breen, captain of Team GUTSS. “Even though Mark is no longer with us, we want to continue to honour our close friendship with him and to show support for the ALS community. We witnessed how devastating this disease is and how it affected Mark and his family, so we continue to ‘pull together’ to raise money for the cause.”
Mark’s wife, Nancy Ianniello, is the honorary captain of Team GUTSS and will be at the ALS Canada Pull to End ALS cheering on the team. “What Mark and our family went through is still very surreal,” says Nancy. “I am so grateful for Mark’s friends and all those who are pulling to raise money to support the ALS community and ALS Canada. I don’t want anyone else to ever have to go through what Mark experienced.”
The fundraising goal for the Pull to End ALS is $100,000 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.
Located in Toronto’s east end, CityView is a unique outdoor event venue with the downtown Toronto skyline providing a dramatic backdrop. Teams will begin to gather at 9:00 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 10:15 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 October 1, 2022
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Team registration
10:00 a.m. Opening remarks
10:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Team pulls begin
12:45 p.m. Closing ceremonies
WHERE: CityView Toronto – 20 Polson Street
The following people are available for interviews:
Tammy Moore
CEO, ALS Canada
Blair Breen
Captain, Team GUTSS
Nancy Ianniello
Wife of Mark Ianniello (passed away from ALS in November 2019)
This event is now closed, but you can register or donate to the latest event here.
For media accreditation and more information, please contact:
Norma Meneguzzi Spall / The Results Group Public Relations
norma@theresultsgrouppr.com / O: 416-686-9110 | M: 416-209-1216
ALS Society of Canada's Revolution Ride inspires action for a future without ALS
HAMILTON – Cyclists will gear up for change at the second annual ALS Canada Revolution Ride taking place on Sunday, September 25 in Dundas, Ontario. Participants will cycle to build awareness and fundraise in support of people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
The event is powered by a team of ALS Canada volunteers, led by Revolution Ride Committee Co-Chair Adam Foley, who are fueled by a passion for cycling and a commitment to working toward a future without ALS.
Adam, an avid cyclist, rides for his brother Matthew, who was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 30 and passed away a few years later in 2014. “My brother passed away eight years ago but it remains my goal to ensure that money is raised to provide much-needed support and services for people affected by ALS and for research that may one day bring new hope and improved quality of life for people with ALS,” says Adam. “It’s important for the ALS community to experience the commitment participants in the Ride have for them as they rally together for the cause.”
Fifty-one-year-old Guelph resident Darrell Kane’s father passed away from ALS on September 24, 1992. Thirty years and one day later, Darrell will participate in the Ride on September 25 in memory of his father and for himself. Darrell, who is also a cycling enthusiast, was diagnosed with ALS in July of this year. “When my father passed away, it was too painful for me to be part of the ALS community,” says Darrell. “Now that I have been diagnosed with ALS, and for as long as I have quality of life and mobility, I want to do what I can to support the cause. Families caring for a loved one with ALS are in need of support services, which the ALS Society of Canada can provide with the help of our fundraising efforts.”
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 the most promising ALS research in Canada. Last year, the first-ever ALS Canada Revolution Ride raised more than $250,000, exceeding its original fundraising goal of $150,000. “This year, we are hoping to match last year’s success and we encourage cycling enthusiasts to come out and ride for those who can’t,” adds Adam. “The event kicks off with opening festivities and everyone is welcome to celebrate in post-ride celebrations.”
Revolution Ride will take place in picturesque Dundas, Ontario, where the escarpment’s beauty will be revealed atop climbs and long and winding countryside roads. Cyclists will be challenged to complete a 40km ride or a 90km ride. Both routes start and finish at the Shawn & Ed Brewing Co., which will be open for lunch and refreshments. For those not able 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 different 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.
ALS Canada Revolution Ride Event Details:
When: Sunday, September 25, 2022
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
Distance: In-person 40 & 90 km routes or virtual participation on Strava
Who: Revolution Ride participants showing their support for people and families living with ALS. The event will be followed by a raffle, live music, food, and drink at Shawn & Ed Brewery Co. for friends and family to join the cyclists to celebrate the ride.
The following individuals are available for interviews:
Adam Foley
ALS Canada Revolution Ride Co-Chair and Ride participant / Brother and an aunt both passed away from ALS
Alisha Martins
ALS Canada Revolution Ride Co-Chair
Darrell Kane
Guelph resident recently diagnosed with ALS / Father passed away from ALS in 1992
Tammy Moore
ALS Canada, CEO
To join the ALS Canada Revolution Ride, support the ALS community and learn more, visit: http://www.revolutionride.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Norma Meneguzzi Spall / The Results Group Public Relations
norma@theresultsgrouppr.com / O: 416-686-9110 | M: 416-209-1216
Following grassroots efforts by the ALS community that resulted in support from all Major League Baseball teams, the MLB announced that it will be recognizing Lou Gehrig Day every year on June 2, starting in 2021 – exactly 80 years after his death from complications due to ALS.
This page shares archived content that Canadians posted during the inaugural Lou Gehrig Day including Gehrig’s legacy, what it means to see the MLB hold an annual Lou Gehrig Day, and other baseball connections that unite us. Please note it is no longer being updated.
