Yannik Richard, hopes his journey will help raise hope and solidarity across the country regarding this incurable fatal disease
MONTREAL, June 6, 2025 – As part of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Month, ALS Quebec is launching a series of fundraising events that highlight courage, perseverance, solidarity and hope. This year, the organization is shining a spotlight on what will be an inspiring human achievement: Yannik Richard, a Quebecer living with ALS, will travel across Canada in his motorized wheelchair to raise public awareness of the disease, create ties with people and renew hope for those who live with this reality.
“Yannik truly brings our slogan, ‘Embody hope together’ to life,” said Claudine Cook, Executive Director of ALS Quebec. “His journey carries several important messages: a heartfelt cry, a call to action, and a living testimony to the strength and will of our community. He wants to show that anything is possible, and we believe in that as well.”
“ALS steals your body, but it will never steal your courage,” stated Yannik Richard. “Every kilometre I cover will be a victory over the disease. I also hope that every kilometre covered brings us closer to our goal: to push back and ultimately end ALS.”
A living symbol of resilience
Yannik Richard, 50 years old, married, and father of three children, is an ALS Quebec Ambassador. He has been living with this neurodegenerative disease, which progressively limits his mobility, for about two years. Rather than let ALS hold him back, he chose to confront it by undertaking a 4,500-kilometre cross-country trek, linking Western and Eastern Canada. This journey, both physical and symbolic, aims to challenge the limits imposed by ALS.
His motorized wheelchair has been specially equipped, enabling him to cover thousands of kilometres across both mountainous and flat terrain. The electric motor has been upgraded, and the chair’s battery now offers a 50-kilometre range. He intends to travel up to 150 kilometres per day, weather conditions permitting.
Throughout his journey across Canada, he will stop in several cities to meet families affected by the disease, as well as researchers and volunteers involved in the ALS cause.
A summer of unity and action
This year, ALS Quebec’s summer activities will be powered by the momentum that Yannik Richard inspires. “Research is progressing, but it needs help from all of us”, said Professor Richard Robitaille, President of the ALS Quebec Research Fund. “Through initiatives such as this journey across Canada, we can raise the public’s awareness of research needs and dream of a future without ALS.”
Signature, essential events
This exceptional initiative aligns with ALS Quebec’s annual signature events, such as the Walk to End ALS and the ALS Quebec RIDE cycling event. Each year, these activities mobilize thousands of participants across the province. In June, as a sign of solidarity with the ALS community, several public and private buildings will be illuminated in the organization’s colours. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month is also marked by a special moment of commemoration, Lou Gehrig Day, traditionally celebrated on June 2. This day pays tribute to one of the greatest baseball players in history, who died of ALS in 1941.
Summertime fundraising activities play a vital role in supporting ALS Quebec’s mission. Together with community-driven initiatives, they generate over 40% of the annual revenue needed to advance research and provide comprehensive support, at every stage of their journey, to persons living with ALS.
Walk to End ALS
Every year since 2000, the Walk to End ALS has brought together thousands of people across Quebec to honour or remember a loved one affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. In 2025, the event returns with a series of walks beginning May 31 and continuing through June and September.
Saturday May 31: Saturday June 7: Sunday June 8: Saturday June 14: September:
ALS Quebec RIDE
Outaouais/Ottawa
Jonquière | Quebec City | Saint-Hyacinthe | Sherbrooke | Trois-Rivières Thetford Mines
Montreal | Sainte-Adèle
Charlevoix | North Hatley (dates to be confirmed)
Since 2008, ALS Quebec RIDE has united cyclists from all over Quebec for a common goal: supporting persons living with ALS and their families, while actively contributing to research. For its 18th edition, the event will take place on August 16 and 17, 2025 in the Joliette region. The public can also participate and contribute to the event remotely.
What is ALS?
ALS is a serious neurodegenerative disease that leads to the progressive deterioration of motor neurons, affecting the body’s ability to perform voluntary movements. Each year, around 4,000 Canadians are diagnosed with ALS, the equivalent of two new cases per 100,000 members of the population. In 80% of cases, life expectancy after diagnosis is between two and five years.
Professor Richard Robitaille, neuroscientist at Université de Montréal and President of the ALS Quebec Research Fund, emphasizes that scientific research plays a central role to end this disease: “Promising breakthroughs are under way thanks to the commitment of Quebec’s scientific community. Financial support is essential to maintaining this momentum and advancing discoveries.”
To learn more about the disease and its consequences, visit the What is ALS? page.
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