Published in Fund Development, Giving Tuesday, Stories on November 24, 2020
Tags: ALS, ALS awareness, als stories, community, Donate to ALS, donating to ALS, fundraising, giving, giving back, holidays, living with ALS, support
Here and now. After a year and a half of undiagnosed symptoms and testing, in November of 2018 I was diagnosed with ALS. I really remember that day as a transformative one. One moment my doctor was dropping the weight of the world on my shoulders by telling me I have ALS, and the next […]
Published in Fund Development, Stories on November 3, 2020
Tags: ALS, ALS awareness, als stories, care, caregiving, community, Donate to ALS, donating to ALS, families with ALS, find a cure for ALS, finding a cure for als, fundraising, giving, giving back, living with ALS, support
Mark Vivarais was almost in tears as he walked back to his wife, Sandra, from a washroom at an outdoor outlet mall in Florida. He’d been stuck in there for half an hour, struggling to pull himself up from the low toilet seat. “That’s when it hit me,” Sandra recalled. “Oh my god, this is […]
Published in Fund Development, Research on October 30, 2020
Tags: ALS, ALS Canada Research Program, ALS research, funding als research, fundraising, research, research community, research funding, Virtual Research Forum
You don’t need us to tell you that 2020 has thrown everyone and everything for a loop. A few months into the year, we all found ourselves having to adapt very quickly to mitigate the unknowns of the COVID-19 pandemic. For ALS Canada, that meant cancelling the 2020 edition of our annual ALS Canada Research […]
Published in Events, Fund Development on September 28, 2020
Tags: ALS, community engagement, fundraising, Get Involved, giving, giving back, support
Every year, hundreds of community events take place across Ontario, raising critical awareness and funds toward a future without ALS. With the pandemic changing the way we work, dine and live, our dedicated community is adapting how they fundraise, too. We’ve compiled a list of some of the amazing and creative ways ALS Canada event […]
Published in Fund Development, Update on August 27, 2020
Tags: ALS, community, community engagement, Donate to ALS, donating to ALS, fundraising, giving, giving back
Because of supporters like you, in addition to the $10,000 match that was offered by ALS Canada’s dear friend, Deirdre, $24,000 was raised for the ALS Canada COVID-19 Urgent Response Fund and it has helped to evolve our programs for people and families living with ALS. How has the COVID-19 Urgent Response Fund made a […]
Published in Events, Fund Development, Research, Stories, Update, Walk To End ALS on June 25, 2020
Tags: ALS, ALS awareness, ALS Awareness Month, Donate to ALS, donating to ALS, fundraising, walk to end als
I reached out to you on June 1 to invite you to join us in 21 Days to Make a Difference. You embraced the daily activities across social media platforms and openly shared your stories, photos, memories, and experiences. What I saw happen online was a community that came together in anticipation of something big! […]
Published in Events, Stories, Walk To End ALS on June 16, 2020
Tags: ALS, ALS awareness, ALS Awareness Month, als stories, caregiving, community, Donate to ALS, donating to ALS, families with ALS, fundraising, living with ALS, walk to end als
ALS shatters dreams no matter when it strikes. For Deane Gorsline, 31, and his wife, Danielle, living with ALS means letting go of a lifetime of dreams. Focusing on the present helps them stay positive, whether it’s enjoying precious time with their new puppy, Trigger, or supporting the ALS community they belong to by joining […]
Published in Events, Walk To End ALS on June 8, 2020
Tags: ALS, ALS awareness, ALS Awareness Month, community, community engagement, fundraising, walk to end als
Haven’t yet decided how you’re going to do the Walk to End ALS in your own way on Sunday, June 21? You need not look further than the Ice Bucket Challenge to know that the ALS community is creative and resilient, so they’ve got you covered! Here are just a few innovative ways our community […]
Published in Stories, Walk To End ALS on October 9, 2019
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, community engagement, funding als research, fundraising, Get Involved, living with ALS, walk to end als
The Walk to End ALS events that take place across the province, throughout the year, mean different things to different people, but there is a common thread of support, community and knowing you’re not alone on this journey. James Young, a 42-year-old father of two young boys, considers himself one of the lucky ones. Diagnosed […]
Published in Events, Walk To End ALS on September 26, 2019
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, community, community engagement, fundraising, Get Involved, giving back, walk to end als
Kelsey Barker describes her dad, Jeff, as her hero. Diagnosed with ALS in February 2018, he has since lost the use of his right arm and is now having difficulty breathing and walking – but ALS has not changed the person he is. “He lights up a room. He is selfless and courageous. He pushes […]
Published in Fund Development, Stories on August 23, 2019
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, ALS, ALS research, als stories, caregiving, Donate to ALS, Every August, Every August Until A Cure, families with ALS, fundraising, Ice Bucket Challenge, support
Five years ago, when the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge went viral in 2014, Mario knew very little about ALS, and had no idea how it would affect his life. Because of a co-worker whose dad was living with ALS, Mario completed the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. “Once I got tagged in a post there was […]
Published in Research, Stories on August 15, 2019
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, ALS Canada Research Program, ALS research, als stories, Donate to ALS, Every August, Every August Until A Cure, find a cure for ALS, funding als research, fundraising, Ice Bucket Challenge, living with ALS, motor neuron disease
Margot Algie heard about the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in 2014 through friends and had no idea that only one year later, she would be diagnosed with the disease. Since then, she has come to understand firsthand the importance of maintaining the momentum of the viral social media phenomenon that resulted in a $21.5M investment […]
Published in Fund Development on August 12, 2019
Tags: community engagement, Donate to ALS, donating to ALS, finding a cure for als, funding als research, fundraising, Get Involved, How to donate to ALS research, research funding
In late 2018, Facebook began offering the option for Canadians to create fundraisers for nonprofit organizations or for personal causes. Since then many of you have reached out to us with questions about how these giving options can be used to support ALS Canada. We know Facebook can be a quick and easy way to […]
Published in Research, Stories on August 9, 2019
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, ALS Canada Research Program, als cure, ALS research, Donate to ALS, Every August, find a cure for ALS, funding als research, fundraising, genetic research, motor neuron disease, research, women in science
“When you start researching ALS, it becomes a life mission,” says Dr. Janice Robertson, a prominent figure in the ALS research community in Canada and abroad. Dr. Robertson is studying variations within the brain and spinal cord of people living with ALS using two powerful new technologies that allow researchers to examine the nuclei of […]
Published in Research, Stories, Volunteers on August 2, 2019
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, ALS Canada Research Program, als cure, ALS research, caregiving, Donate to ALS, Every August, Every August Until A Cure, fundraising, Ice Bucket Challenge, living with ALS, motor neuron disease
Beth Robertson’s husband, Tim, lived courageously with ALS for 12 years. He was sustained by the loving presence of his wife, Beth, his three children, and a large network of family and friends. Beth says she would do it all over again for Tim, but she admits ALS is a terrible burden for everyone it […]
Published in Advocacy, Fund Development, Stories on July 26, 2019
Tags: ALS, ALS awareness, community, community engagement, Donate to ALS, donating to ALS, finding a cure for als, funding als research, fundraising, giving
Last spring, Mike Leech, 59, approached his plant manager to request a 2-month leave from work to complete a bike ride across Canada for charity. An avid cyclist, he dreamed of cycling coast to coast but he wanted to make it more than just a physical challenge. He wanted to raise awareness and money for […]
Published in Advocacy on June 25, 2019
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, ALS awareness, ALS Awareness Month, als stories, finding a cure for als, funding als research, fundraising
Miles4Matty is part of Adam Foley’s search for meaning after losing his brother, Matthew (aka Matty), who passed of ALS in 2014 at the age of 38. Adam and Matthew were roommates at the time of the diagnosis. When Matthew’s mobility became a significant challenge, they moved into a more accessible apartment together where Adam […]
Published in Advocacy, Fund Development on June 24, 2019
Tags: advocacy, als cure, Donate to ALS, donating to ALS, edaravone, find a cure for ALS, fundraising, research funding, Research update
Every day, more than 3,000 people and families throughout Ontario and Canada live with the realities of ALS, a devastating disease that takes away dreams, abilities, and lives. But for all ALS takes, it cannot take away our shared desire for a future without this disease. We rely on you – our generous donors – […]
Published in Fund Development on August 18, 2017
Tags: community, community engagement, fundraising
Last summer when her mother Deloris was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Jennifer Tranberg decided to plan a community fundraising event in conjunction with members of her son’s hockey team, the Sault Ste. Marie Pee Wee Major AA Junior Greyhounds. With so many special events competing for charitable giving, Jennifer wanted to come up […]
Published in Stories on May 13, 2017
Tags: als stories, care, caregiving, community, families with ALS, family, fundraising, living with ALS, Mother's Day, remembering, support, WALK for ALS
For many families, Mother’s Day is a time of celebration and joy. For others, it can be a time of sadness and reflection when there is an empty seat at a once-filled dinner table. For Anna Acheson, Sunday will be the first Mother’s Day she spends without her mother, Margaret. After participating in the 2016 […]
Published in Events on October 14, 2016
Tags: ALS, ALS awareness, community, fundraising, giving, support, WALK for ALS
Throughout the spring, summer and fall of 2016, Canadians showed they care about beating ALS, the devastating neuromuscular disease that gradually paralyzes people and takes away their ability to move, talk, swallow, eat and eventually breathe. In communities across the country – from Victoria, BC to St. John’s, NL, and from Windsor, ON to Whitehorse, […]
Published in Stories on December 1, 2015
Tags: fundraising, giving, support
Today is Giving Tuesday. On this very special day of giving from the heart, I hope you’ll give the most precious gift of all — the gift of hope. Right now, approximately 3,000 Canadians are living with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) — a degenerative disease that quickly and progressively steals a person’s mobility, speech and […]
Published in Stories on September 23, 2015
Tags: ALS, ALS awareness, fundraising, giving, Ice Bucket Challenge, support
Last month, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was re-ignited by the ALS Community. The team working at the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club have always supported the Community and the cause. Last month, they extended an invitation to ALS Canada to bring clients and their families and donors together to enjoy a game. We want to thank […]
Published in Stories on July 30, 2015
Tags: ALS, ALS awareness, fundraising, giving, Ice Bucket Challenge, support
“The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge gave me back the voice that ALS was taking from me. It took my personal struggle and gave it validation and hope. We need to keep going to fund research so that one day ALS will be treatable, not terminal. I accept the passing of the bucket from co-founder Pat […]
Published in Stories on June 12, 2015
Tags: ALS, ALS awareness, fundraising, giving, Ice Bucket Challenge
Canada you made a difference! $17 million was raised through the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in 2014 ALS Research: $11.5 million went to ALS research from ALS Societies across Canada We have seen a 70% INCREASE in grant applications through the ALS Canada Research Program By October 2015 $12.9 MILLION to be invested in […]