THUNDER BAY – Dozens of residents from Thunder Bay and the region attended the ALS Society of Canada’s 2022 Walk to End ALS Thunder Bay on Saturday.
“Everyone gathered here so that they could raise awareness for the needs of families living with ALS as well as provide support to them and fundraise for not only equipment, much-needed equipment that the families will need as well as local community support and ALS research that is Canadian led,” said Nicole Deschamps, community lead for ALS Canada for Northwest Ontario.
The turnout for the walk was a little lower than previous in-person events and Deschamps attributes that to coming out of the pandemic and the change in date that brought the date of the walk from September so that it could take –place during ALS Awareness Month.
“Usually we have between 100 to 200 participants every year, one year we even had up to 400 participants,” she said. “So this year our numbers are a little bit lower than, but part of that I think is just coming back from our virtual walks from the last two years.”
Among the crowd this year was the Honourable Patty Hajdu, MP for Thunder Bay-Superior North and Minister of Indigenous Services, who says she’s proud of those residents who came out to participate.
“This is a really important walk that happens every year and obviously to see people coming out to support families that are living with ALS, Whether they’re supporting a member that has it or themselves, it’s really heartwarming,” she said.
For further information on the Walk to End ALS or to donate to the cause, Visit their website! Or email [email protected]
