Walk Together for ALS

Betty's Run for ALS

The Alberta Health Services ALS Clinic and the University of Calgary Neuroscience Department hosted the first Western Canadian ALS Conference in Banff in February. We were honored to be invited to be a part of this visionary event. The overarching goals of the day were to build relationships and connections, foster collaboration and create space for innovation. Clinicians, researchers, allied healthcare professionals, and administrators came together to strengthen relationships, make new connections, and come up with innovative ways to support families affected by ALS. This inspirational event brought experts in ALS together from across Western Canada. Thank you to Lara Osterreicher, Dr. Theodore Mobach, and Dr. Lawrence Korngut for their dedicated work in bringing the ALS Community together!

Our Guardian Angels by Frida Backlund

Frida Backlund has been involved with the ALS Society of Alberta since she first moved to Calgary in 2014. She has remained passionate about supporting the ALS cause, as she lost her mom to ALS when she was just 19 years old. In addition to the amazing work Frida does to support the ALS community, she recently released her first book, Our Guardian Angels. She wrote this book to offer readers comfort and an explanation for where to seek our loved ones when we can no longer see their faces or hear their voices. Guiding and protecting us, Frida teaches little ones that while some of our most cherished people may be gone, they haven’t left us; after all, they are our guardian angels. She hopes it can provide comfort and be a tool for families as

they navigate grief.

Click the link below to hear Frida share more about Our Guardian Angels, and her personal story, in an interview with the Calgary Flames TV.

At the end of January, Albertan Chris Clarke, alongside three close friends, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa’s highest summit) in honour of his late father, Aussie, who lived with ALS. Aussie resided in Edmonton and was supported by the ALS Society of Alberta after his diagnosis in July 2021. Chris raised nearly $25,000 - with 50 per cent of proceeds donated to the ALS Society of Alberta! We congratulate Chirs on his amazing accomplishment and thank him for his support.

A Night Out for Rob was held on March 25 at the Edmonton Clansman Rugby Club. This event brought close friends and family together to celebrate and show their support for Rob McCaffrey, who lives with ALS.

There were refreshments, socializing, and incredible live music, something that Rob loves! This event raised nearly $7,000 for the ALS Society of Alberta. Thank you to everyone who donated and attended the event!

Thank You Mikael and Frida Backlund!

Mikael and Frida tirelessly support the Calgary community. They have been true leaders in making our community a better place. They support so many important causes and truly make a difference in the lives of those living with and affected by ALS.

The ALS community is incredibly thankful for their support. Mikael and Frida host events, support families in Alberta, fund groundbreaking research, generate awareness, and host our families from across Alberta at the Calgary Flames games.

The highlight of attending the Calgary Flames games is always when Mikael meets the family at the end of the game. Now with reduced COVID restrictions, these games have brought our families back together and provided the opportunity to meet Mikael in person. Mikael and Frida have hosted more than 90 families since 2014!



Thank you for making a difference.

Congratulations to Howie Sniderman for receiving the Pro Bono Legal Service award at the 2023 Distinguished Service Awards hosted by the Canadian Bar Association and Law Society of Alberta. Howie has been a long-time supporter of the ALS cause. His good friend and partner at Witten Law lived with ALS.



Howie was recognized for his contributions to many organizations. Edmonton’s Jewish community, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, B’nai B’rith Society, just to name a few. His dedicated contribution to the ALS Society of Alberta is in memory of his dear friend lost to ALS.

The ALS Society of Alberta would like to extend a big thank you to F12, who presented us with a generous donation of over $6,000.

Leslie Ring-Adams accepted the check on behalf of the Society. We appreciate F12 for their generous donation!

Thank You Calgary Foundation

We would like to extend our appreciation to the Calgary Foundation for its support. In the winter of 2022, the Calgary Foundation provided the ALS Society of Alberta with a Community Grant. This grant was used to support changes in our donation management systems. We are very grateful for this opportunity!