A Walk for ALS is taking place at Victory community centre (the old arena) on June 4 to raise money to help those living with ALS, a paralyzing neuromuscular disease, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
The annual 5km walk takes place in 30 different communities across Ontario and brings members of all ages from the community together.
Last year, the Wellington North Walk for ALS raised more than $22,000, doubling its goal in the first walk in the area. The organizing team hopes to reach the same again this year. The community is coming together to walk for those who can’t and support those affected by ALS, such the walk coordinator Ashley Teeter who lost her father last year to the paralyzing neuromuscular disease.
“You feel so helpless,” said Teeter. “You want to help but you can’t.”
Her father passed away in March of last year after several difficult years that put both a financial and emotional strain on the family.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressively paralyzing and fatal neuromuscular disease. Within two to five years after diagnosis, those living with ALS lose the ability to move, speak, and eventually breathe. Eighty per cent of people die within two to five years after diagnosis.
Every day two to three Canadians are diagnosed and every day two to three people die from ALS.
For more information, visit www.alsont.ca or view one man’s story at www.youtube.com/alsontario
Money raised through the Walk for ALS goes towards providing equipment and support programs for those living with ALS as well and funding research for a cure.
The Walk for ALS is celebrating 10 years in Canada. Walkers can join at 320 King Street at 11am (registration is from 8:30am)
Visit www.walkforals.ca for more information and to participate and donate to the Wellington North Walk for ALS.
Walk for ALS is the largest annual fundraiser and the signature event for ALS Ontario, an organization that receives no funding from the government and relies entirely on the generosity of its donors. In total, ALS Ontario raised $1.4-million last year.
Money raised goes towards equipment and support services for people living with ALS, and to provide funding towards research for a cure.
