Walk for ALS – On Sunday September 16th, over 800 participants gathered at Maisonneuve Park for the 18th edition of the Walk for ALS in Montreal in support of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Society of Quebec. Families touched by the ALS, volunteers, researchers, Sabrina Cournoyer from the Salut Bonjour morning show and the Montreal Alouettes teamed up and walked 4km in honor or in memory of a loved one touched by ALS. Thanks to the many participants and generous donors, the event raised an impressive amount of $100 000, a game changer for Quebec families touched by ALS. The Walks for ALS’ season ends on a strong note as $300,000 was raised across the province to support families touched by ALS and research.
Facts about the Walk for ALS
- Organized by ALS Quebec, The Walks for ALS contribute in raising awareness for ALS and funds to support research and maintain quality services offered to people living with ALS and their families all across the province;
- 40% of proceeds support cutting-edge research currently taking place in Canada and particularly in Quebec. The complementary sixty percent of proceeds support direct services for people living with ALS at every stage of the disease.
- Since their beginning in 2000, the number of Walks for ALS increased to include 9 Walks across Quebec and 85 across Canada;
- The list of Walks located in Quebec also includes Sherbrooke, Outaouais (Ottawa), Quebec city, Saint-Hyacinthe, Laval, Trois-Rivières, Rivière-du-Loup and Charlevoix.
ALS by the numbers
- More commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that attacks the body’s nerve cells, and is usually fatal within 2 to 5 years after the diagnosis. The cause is unknown and there is no effective treatment;
- People living with ALS gradually lose their ability to walk, speak, swallow, and breathe. They become prisoners within their own bodies, without losing their intellectual faculties and senses;
- In Canada, 2,500 to 3,000 people are living with ALS, including 600 in Quebec;
- For every new ALS diagnosis, 1 person dies of ALS;
- ALS can affect anyone: 90% of cases are random and 10% of cases are hereditary.
For more information or to make a donation: walks.alsquebec.ca
About the ALS Society of Quebec
The ALS Society of Quebec is a non-profit community organization that provides programs and services to families touched by ALS during all stages of the disease. Promoting, subsidizing, and advancing research on the causes, treatment, and cure of ALS are also integral parts of the Society’s mission, which survives on donations and proceeds from various fundraising events.
