Wellington North residents join Canadians in annual Walk for ALS

Wellington North residents joined people from across Canada on June 8 for the annual Walk for ALS.

More than 94 communities took part in the event for fitness, fun and the fight against ALS.

Every dollar raised goes to provide equipment, support services, education for the ALS community, and fund research to find a cure.

Locally, the event began at the  Arthur Pavilion and Ball Diamonds as participants prepared for the five kilometre walk.

In 2012, the Canada-wide event raised more than $3.2 million and in Ontario alone, $1.4 million was raised.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a rapidly progressive and ultimately fatal neuromuscular disorder that causes the degeneration of a select group of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. As the nerve cells die, people with ALS lose control of their muscles, which makes breathing, eating, even smiling almost impossible.

Those afflicted have a prognosis of two – five years of life.

ALS attacks and kills the motor neurons in the body, denying the individual the ability to move, to speak and finally to breathe.

It has no known cause, no effective treatment and no cure.

ALS Canada provides equipment and support services for clients in Ontario, and funds breakthrough research towards a  cure. Approximately 3,000 Canadians live with ALS and two to three Canadians die of ALS each day. ALS can strike anyone, regardless of age, sex or ethnic origin The usual age of onset is between 55 and 65 , but some individuals are diagnosed before the age of 20.

Nearly 80 per cent of people with ALS die within five years of diagnosis. While some live longer, others die within a few months

ALS is a costly disease that affects patients and their families – emotionally, physically, and financially.

Donna Wright, of the Wellington North walk explained that this is the fourth annual event for Wellington North.

“The event is to raise awareness about ALS.”

She added there is plenty of information provided at the event for people to learn more.

“The money raised goes towards client services as well a research to find a cure.”

She added, “At present, there is little known as to causes and no known cure or treatment at this time.”

She noted the number of volunteers out so early in the morning, Wright said, “We have a really solid volunteer crew here.” In recent years, the event averaged between 140 to 200 participants.

The Arthur event included a penny table. Money raised from that also contributed to the walk proceeds. Those items were donated by local businesses and individuals within the community.