Georgetown/Caledon ALS Canada Walk to End ALS raises more than $70,000

By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Starting on June 6, and continuing throughout ALS Awareness Month in June, ALS Canada is hosting 22 in-person Walk events across Ontario – and it all began at the Terra Cotta Conservation Area this past weekend.

More than 150 people came out to the walk this year, and raised approximately over $70,000.

ALS Canada shares that each year, about 1,000 Canadians are diagnosed with ALS, and another 1,000 lose their lives to the disease. 

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, otherwise known as ALS, is an “unrelenting and currently terminal disease,” the organization adds.

“The cost of living with ALS can exceed $250,000, placing a significant burden on the person diagnosed, caregivers, and families. Funds raised through the Walk to End ALS help meet this growing need by funding research, information, and services for people affected by ALS,” says the organization.

Disha Mehta, Regional Manager for the Ontario Chapter of the ALS Society of Canada, says at their organization, they “know how much people affected by ALS value the Walk to End ALS, and it's more than just a fundraiser.”

“It builds community and connects people, and we are committed to continuing to honour this experience, and also create opportunities for the ALS community to come together to show their support at a special event and demonstrate that we are all part of something bigger,” says Mehta.

Not only that, but she says the day is also about honouring those who have lost their lives to ALS, “their family members still walk in honor of those people, it's just a very touching and very empowering event for us,” says Mehta.

The funding from each Walk to End ALS, Mehta explains, goes back into research, care, and advocacy, as well as their local community services.

“We, as a community lead, when we go to different people, we support them to resource navigation through this diagnosis and everything, so all these funds that we have raised are very essential in helping the ALS Society of Canada continue to help people living with ALS, and ensure that a strong pipeline of funding for the most promising Canadian ALS research continues to grow,” says Mehta.

Although there were many new teams this year, Mehta added that many past teams and families returned to support the walk.

Throughout June, ALS Canada will host walks, with a virtual participation option for people who prefer to join independently or cannot attend a local event.

ALS Canada is continuing to push towards their province-wide fundraising goal of $2.1 million, supporting research, advocacy efforts and community-based care services for nearly 4,000 Canadians currently living with ALS.