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 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 19, 2020
Tags: ALS, ALS awareness, ALS Awareness Month, als stories, community, Donate to ALS, families with ALS, living with ALS, walk to end als
Charmaine Loverin, who was diagnosed with ALS last year, has stayed positive through tremendous change and upheaval imposed by the disease, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. She left her home and relocated to Belleville to live with her sister, Michelle, who reached out with “open arms.” After the move, Charmaine returned to Toronto on a […]
Published in Events, Walk To End ALS on June 16, 2020
Tags: ALS, ALS awareness, ALS Awareness Month, community, walk to end als
This Sunday (June 21) at 11:00am ET, you are invited to join ALS Canada’s Walk to End ALS virtual finish line – our biggest online celebration ever! What is the virtual finish line? For one hour, we’re taking to the virtual airways for a live-streaming celebration unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. There will be […]
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, Stories, Walk To End ALS on June 12, 2020
Tags: ALS, ALS awareness, ALS Awareness Month, community, families with ALS, living with ALS, walk to end als
Marla Dahlke says she was like “a deer in the headlights” when doctors told her she had ALS last year. She’s since had time to process that information, adapt to her new reality, and reconnect with her resilient inner voice. “You can only feel sorry for yourself for so long and even you get sick […]
Published in Events, Stories, Walk To End ALS on June 9, 2020
Tags: ALS, ALS awareness, ALS Awareness Month, als stories, caregiving, community, Donate to ALS, donating to ALS, families with ALS, giving, giving back, living with ALS, walk to end als
Jocelyne Gall is doing her best to support her dad, Bill, who was diagnosed with ALS in July 2018. As the only child of divorced parents, she is the only family member attending to her dad’s needs – and with three young children of her own, she has a lot to manage. While her situation […]
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 September 3, 2019
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, ALS, ALS awareness, als stories, Every August Until A Cure, funding als research, living with ALS, walk to end als
Until he was diagnosed with ALS in 2016, Alan Medcalf spent his adult life “in love with movement.” He was a snowboarder, cross-country skier, unicyclist, cyclist and competed as a runner, swimmer and triathlete. After a second hip replacement he cycled coast to coast across Canada in 2000 and logged over 100,000 km in the […]
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 Events, Walk To End ALS on June 21, 2019
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, ALS awareness, ALS Awareness Month, als stories, community, families with ALS, finding a cure for als, living with ALS, walk to end als
On June 15, Don Doan participated in the Walk to End ALS in Brampton for the fourth time. It’s been three years since he was able to walk the course, but his positive outlook hasn’t changed. There are always people around, including his wife, Pam, to help with his wheelchair. “Generally, it’s a fight over […]
Published in Events, Walk To End ALS on June 20, 2019
Tags: 2019-personal-stories, advocacy, ALS, ALS awareness, ALS Awareness Month, community, families with ALS, funding als research
Karen Van Luven, 53, and her mom, 84, both get around their apartment using walkers. Karen moved in to her mom’s apartment nine years ago to be her caregiver. Her mom was experiencing mobility issues and could no longer walk without assistance. “Now that I am living with ALS, the roles are a bit reversed,” […]
Published in Stories on December 19, 2016
Tags: ALS, ALS awareness, community, giving, living with ALS
When a friend or loved one is living with ALS, the holiday season can be a difficult time. This is certainly true for the Peacock family ever since husband and father Jeff was diagnosed with ALS three years ago. This year, Jeff won’t be able to decorate the tree, hand out gifts or enjoy dinner […]
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 August 16, 2016
Tags: advocacy, ALS, ALS awareness, community
Our hearts are heavy as we say good-bye to Mauril Bélanger, MP for Ottawa-Vanier. Diagnosed with ALS in late 2015, he partnered with the ALS Societies across Canada and took on the role of National Honorary Spokesperson for the 2016 WALK for ALS. As someone who spent much of his adult life in a role […]
Published in Stories on June 1, 2016
Tags: ALS, ALS awareness, ALS Awareness Month, community
Thirty remarkable days. Thirty inspirational stories. Thirty chances to seize the days. That’s what ALS awareness month is all about. From fundraising walks in communities across the country to breathtaking walks on the brink at Edgewalk around the top of the CN tower, this June we’re pushing the limits and challenging everyone to seize the […]
Published in Advocacy on January 4, 2016
Tags: advocacy, ALS, ALS awareness, policy, support
We are pleased to advise you that the Government of Canada has announced the activation of the extension of the Compassionate Care Benefit (CCB) from six to 26 weeks. Effective January 3, 2016, caregivers can now claim up to $13,624 in benefits, where previously it was $3,144. We hope this announcement will now relieve some […]
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 […]
