Hello to all of our families and friends,
It is with great optimism that we reach out to you in the Spring of 2022. We are excited to start planning to bring the ALS community together in person through our supports, services and community events across the province. Our volunteer committees have been busy transitioning back to in-person events for Betty’s Run for ALS and the Walks across Alberta.
We are excited to share with you that after much thought and reflection, we have refreshed our signature fundraising event for 2022. Walk Together for ALS (formerly the Walk to End ALS) will bring together family and friends in support of Albertans living with ALS while also raising funds towards some of the most promising ALS research. The new event name and logo were developed to better represent the Albertans that we support, and the thousands of Albertans that continue to come together, year after year, in support of this community. We are united in the fight against ALS and we “Walk Together”.
The strength of the ALS community is a result of our families, volunteers, healthcare community, donors and staff team. You give us the sheer strength and determination to manage through the ever-changing environment the pandemic has created over the past two years. The environment we live in might change because of COVID but ALS does not. The pandemic did provide ways for us to enhance our support services, offering virtual support groups that are more inclusive for those in rural areas or unable to travel; virtual sessions to educate support staff in long-term care facilities; and alternate ways to deliver equipment. While we cannot wait to see everyone in-person again, we will continue to offer the alternatives that we have implemented during the pandemic.
Our mission is to “Make each day the best possible day for people living with and affected by ALS” and you have our commitment we will continue to do all we can to live our mission each and every day.
Karen Caughey,
Executive Director, ALS Society of Alberta
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Researchers at the University of Alberta and University of Calgary have ongoing and upcoming clinical trials enrolling participants.
For full details and contact information, please visit our website.
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In addition, the Canadian Nueromuscular Disease Registry is actively recruiting individuals with ALS who are using or have used edaravone or amx0035.
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Did you know?
Dr. Theodore Mobach, BSc, MD, FRCPC, took on the leadership role as the ALS Clinic Director, South Health Campus in 2021.
In addition to his role as the ALS Clinic Director at South Health Campus, Dr. Mobach is a Neurologist, Neuromuscular Specialist and Clinical Assistant Professor at the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. He is the Primary Investigator, ALS clinical trial of ASO in SOD1 and C9ORF72 familial ALS, and the Sub investigator on multiple other ALS clinical trials.
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Walk Together for ALS - New Name, New Look!
Registration is open for the 2022 Walk Together for ALS events across Alberta! So far we have 8 communities confirmed, please visit our website at walktogether.alsab.ca for more information and to register today!
The new event name and logo were developed to better represent the Albertans that we support, and the thousands of Albertans that continue to come together, year after year, in support of this community.
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26th Annual Betty's Run for ALS
For 26 years, Betty’s Run has been inspiring care, hope and community - and after two years of holding the event virtually, we are so excited to be gathering in person again in 2022!
We look forward to seeing you at North Glenmore Park on Sunday, June 12th.
Visit bettysrun.ca for more information and to Register today!
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Events and Community News |
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Calling all Calgarians! The Wild Rose Taproom in SW Calgary is featuring the ALS Society as its Patron's Pint charity for the month of April! As such, with every 20oz pint of Wraspberry purchased in the Wild Rose Taproom this month, Wild Rose will donate 25 cents to the Society. So head on down to grab a pint in support of the ALS Society of Alberta!
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It Takes a Village Auction |
Our dear friend Sylvia Tensfeldt worked tirelessly on this cross-stich in 2020 and 2021, creating a beautiful little village with mementos for those of us who were lucky enough to partake in the project.
Raising an astounding almost $10,000 to-date, the Auction phase of the fundraiser is closing soon!
Bidding closes at 2pm, April 6th, so visit the link soon to place your bid!
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Sea Change Brewery - Adam's Pale Ale |
We are very excited that Adam's Pale Ale will be back again for June 2022! In 2021, Sea Change produced a whopping 17,376 tall cans of Adam’s Pale Ale, with $1 from each four pack going to the ALS Society of Alberta. This campaign raised a total of over $8000, and this year, we’re going bigger! Like, 4,000 liters of beer bigger. Keep your eyes peeled in Alberta stores the first week of June, and make sure to pick up a 4-pack!
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Little Symphony - Sea of Light |
Tamila was diagnosed 3 years ago, at the young age of 23, with ALS. No longer able to play her violin, guitar and saxophone, Tamila switched to composing electronic music. She recently teamed up with Edmonton group Little Symphony, who create orchestral ambient music that celebrates nature and wellness. All proceeds will be generously donated to the ALS Society of Alberta. Thank you Tamila and Little Symphony for this absolutely gorgeous music!
Sea of Light can be listened to at these links:
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We are thrilled that we have a number of events on the calendar even before our big Walks and Run get going in June! Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone hosting events, we are so happy to once again come out and see you all as we support each other across the province!
Click on the events below for more details:
Dueling Pianos - Drayton Valley, April 9th: SOLD OUT!
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A Tale of Two Chairs...
Sometimes we need to share just how much equipment donations to the ALS Society mean, and how many people our equipment helps. Read a story here about two chairs from our Equipment Loan Program that, one that has finished its time with us, and one that is just beginning.
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Scotiabank Calgary Marathon |
We are proud to once again be a charity partner of the Calgary Marathon in 2022! You can either register for the run and participate directly, or simply donate without running: the choice is yours. Participants are able to choose between an in-person event on May 29, 2022 or the virtual race experience from May 29 to June 28, 2022.
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Have you ever thought about hosting your own fundraiser for the ALS Society of Alberta? We are so excited to see events back in-person this year - if you have an idea for a fundraiser and need some assistance, reach out to us at alscommunications@alsab.ca!
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Donations
If you would like to help us make each day the best possible day for those living with and affected by ALS, there are many impactful ways to give. Donations now, more than ever, will make a tremendous impact on our ability to support our families in Alberta. Please click the link below to help our families today with one-time, monthly or in memoriam donations. Please call us to discuss other giving options. Thank you.
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