Geri Anderson, a volunteer with Move to Cure ALS, is organizing her first-ever ALS walk in the qathet region. The event aims to raise funds and generate community support for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a devastating and currently incurable disease.
Anderson has a personal connection to the cause. Her brother is living with ALS, which fuels her determination to make a difference. With the walk, scheduled for Saturday, June 24, she seeks to raise awareness about ALS and provide vital resources for ongoing research and drug trials.
“It’s an underfunded disease, and there’s definitely no cure in sight,” says Anderson. “But the more people who support the walk and help raise money, the further research can go toward finding a cure.”
On the inaugural walk, Anderson hopes to engage the local community and garner widespread participation.
“My goal this year is to raise $2,000,” she says. “It doesn’t seem like a lot, but it’s more than double what I was able to do last year on my own.”
Anderson’s motivation stems from her brother’s battle with ALS.
“While I know whatever I do isn’t going to help him, I’m hoping it will help future ALS patients down the road because it’s a horrible, horrible disease,” she explains.
According to the ALS Society of Canada, ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a debilitating condition that gradually causes paralysis as the brain loses its ability to communicate with the body’s muscles. This progressive breakdown of muscle function leads to the loss of voluntary movement, including walking, talking, eating, swallowing and, eventually, breathing.
ALS is not contagious. There is no cure and treatment options are limited for most individuals with the disease. Tragically, around 80 per cent of people diagnosed with ALS succumb to the disease within two to five years.
The Move to Cure ALS is the main fundraising event organized by the ALS Society of British Columbia. It aims to bring together families and friends in support of ALS, encouraging them to participate in activities such as walking, running, rolling, or showing their support in any way possible.
All funds raised during the event remain in BC and Yukon and are used to support people living with ALS and ALS research through PROJECT HOPE. Notable attendees include the executive director of the ALS Society of BC, who will join Anderson on the day of the walk. Powell River mayor Ron Woznow will also be attending.
Anyone interested in participating can start a team, join a team or register as an individual on the Move to Cure ALS website.
Registration for the Move to Cure ALS walk begins at 8:30 am on Saturday, June 24, at the Willingdon Beach parking lot, where participants can check in and submit their pledge forms and cash or cheque donations.
The walk will continue to the Coast Guard station at the south harbour and back, which is about three kilometres in total.
Donations can also be made through Anderson’s team, Team Six, in honour of her brother.
“I named it when I was discussing it with my brother from Ottawa last fall,” she says. “We decided on Team Six because most people diagnosed with ALS are gone within two to five years of diagnosis. So I’m very fortunate. He’s at just over six years.”
As the date of the walk approaches, Anderson says she remains hopeful that the community will come together to raise funds and awareness for ALS, making a significant impact on those affected by this debilitating disease.
“There are a lot of people in this community who are trying to make a difference in the lives of people with ALS, and we would love their support and help doing that.”
For more information, go to movetocureals.ca.
