THUNDER BAY — Between 100 and 125 people joined ALS Canada to raise almost $10,000 at its Walk to End ALS at Boulevard Lake on Saturday.
ALS, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
It currently has few effective treatments and no cure.
Casey Marchant, a t-shirt organizer at the walk, volunteered in honour of her grandmother, who was diagnosed with ALS over a decade ago.
“I just wanted to be a part of the community. I have a family member that was affected by ALS and it’s a devastating disease and I like to honour her and be a part of it any way I can,” said Marchant.
She added that she also feels not enough people know about the disease until it’s affecting them.
“The more you know about it ahead of time, if in case it does affect you in the future or someone you love, the better you know what to prepare for and you know a little bit about what the disease is about,” said Marchant.
For those who don’t know about the disease, Marchant said it is good to educate themself to know a little bit about what happens with the patients and the families it affects.
“It’s still a very prevalent diagnosis in this community. We have a number of people who are diagnosed, but also families who are walking in memorial to their loved ones,” said Emily Moffatt, the walk’s national community lead.
“So, this is the day we have those white t-shirts walking around Boulevard Lake, so it really makes it stand out.”
Moffatt said it is important to hold this walk annually, as it really brings a community together.
“For individuals who are diagnosed with ALS, but also individuals who have lost their loved ones to ALS (and) caregivers who are going through those day to day, this brings… community so that they don’t feel that isolation,” said Moffatt.
It’s a very unique disease and to be able to come together, she said, shows that there is a community and other people who are experiencing and potentially able to support each other.
“As we saw today, we had a number of individuals be able to come out and show that support and show everyone that support, which was really great and our goal is a world free of ALS and doing this walk today it’s a little bit closer,” said Moffatt
Last fall, the ALS provincial program awarded $13 million to support people living with ALS.
“The ALS provincial program is a great opportunity. For the first time (the) ALS community has received government funding from the province of Ontario,” said Moffatt.
This $13 million, she explained, will be provided over three years to ALS Canada, Sunnybrook Hospital and the ALS clinics in the province to ensure that people have access to the care and support they need right from diagnosis and throughout their diagnosis.
There is a number of different research happening not only in Canada but also internationally, Moffatt added.
“Parts of the funds raised for the walk goes towards research as well and it just gives that opportunity because we don’t have a cure for this diagnosis,” said Moffatt.
“So, when we see treatments that are coming up on the horizon, we want to be cautiously optimistic about a cure being found because that’s the goal.”
Even after the walk has taken place, Moffatt added that people can still donate to their walk page to ensure that support remains in the community all year long.
“There are 22 walks in the province, so they can donate wherever they are,” said Moffatt.
