Approximately 200 Sudbury residents hit the trails at Delki Dozzi Park on June 7 to raise $30,000, and counting, for people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the 6th annual Sudbury WALK for ALS.
Walk co-ordinator Mary-Anne Walsh, whose husband, Garret
lives with ALS, said she is pleased with the results.
 
"With the generous support of the community, we more than
doubled the amount of money raised at last year's walk," says
Walsh. "I'm delighted that the walk has grown so much and hope
it continues to do so."
 
The WALK for ALS is the signature fundraising event of the ALS
Society of Ontario. The walk provides critical funding for the
Society's equipment and support services programs and helps
fund research to find a cure and better treatments.
 
Special guests at the walk included deputy mayor Ron Dupuis,
who read a proclamation declaring June ALS Awareness Month in
Sudbury. Councillors Joe Cimino and Jacques Barbeau also
attended.
 
"On behalf of the ALS Society of Ontario, thank you to all our
walk volunteers in Sudbury for their dedication and hard work,"
says Maureen Sheahan, president and CEO, ALS Society of
Ontario. "I would also like to thank the walkers, donors and
sponsors for their support, which allows the Society to
continue providing help and hope to people with ALS. We look
forward to your continued support at future events."
 
Donations for the Sudbury walk are still being accepted. To
donate, contact the Society at 866-611-8545.
 
For more information, including updates on Ontario's 25 walks,
visit
www.alsont.ca
. 
 
ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rapidly progressive and
fatal neuromuscular disease affecting close to 3,000 Canadians.
There is no cure or effective treatment. Eighty per cent of
those affected die within two to five years of diagnosis. The
ALS Society of Ontario is a non-profit organization committed
to providing equipment and support services to increase quality
of life and provide independence, dignity, hope and choice to
people with ALS.
