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Prairie to Peak
August 2023
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Welcoming Executive Director: Leslie Ring Adams | | |
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Dear ALS Society of Alberta Community,
I am truly honored and privileged to introduce myself as your new Executive Director. My sincere thanks go out to Karen Caughey for the formidable mentorship she provided to me over the past seven years. While she has left big shoes to fill, her 17 years of exceptional leadership have left a legacy, which I am proud to continue building upon. As we come together, I want to express my gratitude for the warm welcome and support I have received from each one of you.
Summer is a time for growth, energy, and enthusiasm; our cause is no exception. The ALS Society of Alberta is committed to fulfilling its mission of support, education, and advocacy for individuals and families living with ALS. With your ongoing support, we can strive to make each day the best possible day for those living with and affected by this disease.
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The Society is incredibly grateful for the efforts of Alberta's ALS Community. Events across the province, as you will see below, have been breaking fundraising records all summer. As we transition into the remainder of the summer, many exciting events are lined up for our ALS Community in Alberta.
We are eager to see you at these events and further strengthen bonds within our ALS community. Your participation and support will help us continue to deliver essential services to those who need them the most when they need them most.
I would like to express my deepest appreciation for your unwavering dedication to our cause. Together, we can bring hope, support, and knowledge to those living with ALS and their families.
Sincerely,
Leslie Ring Adams
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Summer 2023 - Runs, Walks, & Community Events | | |
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Thank You, Coordinators!
Without the dedication and hard work of our incredible walk and run coordinators, our annual Walks and Run events would not be possible. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the coordinators for investing their time, effort, and passion into organizing successful events, year after year. Your commitment helps us take important steps toward our goal of providing vital support services and driving research toward finding a cure for ALS.
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Our 2023 Walk Together for ALS across the province are seeing remarkable turnouts this year, with close to 750 participants and countless volunteers, collectively raising nearly $500,000!
Thanks to you, we have already surpassed our fundraising goal of $400,000 and still have 3 Walks remaining. Way to go!
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Click below to register for an upcoming Walk Together for ALS - or to donate! | | |
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Betty’s Run for ALS
On June 13, the 27th annual Betty’s Run for ALS took place. An impressive 711 participants and their supporters, along with an exceptional team of dedicated volunteers, are to thank for the $387,000 raised so far.
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We are quickly approaching our fundraising goal of $400,000 and know there are a few of you out there with donations coming. We encourage you to get those to your team captain as soon as possible.
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Community Giving
We are continuously impressed with the initiatives of our community. Your dedication and creativity in finding new ways to support our cause are inspiring!
Below are just a few examples of ways you can support our cause. Interested in organizing a fundraiser or event of your own?
Contact Emily Penley Christmas.
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Quonset Days has been raising money, in memory of Peter Biemans, for the ALS Society of Alberta since 2010. That’s 13 years of Quonset Days!
| This country music lover’s dream weekend takes place every summer in remote Alberta and features performances by artists like George Canyon, Tim Hick, The Chevelles, The Phoenix Band, Jade Eagleson, and more! | |
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Over $400,000 has been donated by Quonset Days since 2010 and for that, we say THANK YOU!
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Howard Smith Memorial Roping | |
The 22nd Annual Howard Smith Memorial Roping Event brought cowboys and cowgirls to Eagle Valley from all corners of Alberta.
Inside the Howard Smith Memorial Roping Arena is where 102 individual ropers and 159 roping teams competed against one another, all for the benefit of the ALS Society of ALberta .
We are incredibly grateful for the fundraising efforts and generosity of this vibrant Albertan community. This year’s total of $15,000 surpassed last year's record and this year's goal!
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Alberta Apparel & the Backlunds | |
Thank you to Alberta Apparel, in partnership with Mikael and Frida Backlund, who gave a generous charitable contribution of $19,500 to the ALS Society of Alberta this Spring.
These funds were raised thanks to sales of Backlunds' designed crewneck sweater. Alberta Apparel generously donated 65% of the proceeds from these sales to the ALS Society of Alberta!
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West Lake Energy Stampede Kick-Off | |
Thank you to West Lake Energy for their generous support of our cause. A buffet dinner, dance, silent auction, fabulous raffle prizes, and a 50-50 made for a rootin’-tootin’ good time and kick-off to the Calgary Stampede.
Over $65,000 has been raised in recognition of Bruce McDonald for the ALS Society of Alberta by this community - donations are still gratefully accepted.
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In honor of Louis Sousa, the Sousa Family organized a third edition of a very special fundraiser, "Strings for a Cause 2023”!
This year, an impressive $5,024 was raised! The Sousa Family's ongoing generosity and support are inspiring. Many thanks to the entire Sousa Family and all supporters of "Strings for a Cause 2023".
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Thank you to Cold Lake Swing for ALS, PJVA Charity Golf, and TOCB Stogie's & Bogies for designating the ALS Society of Alberta as their charity of choice for 2023. Over $10,000 has been raised collectively at golf tournaments this year, all in support of the ALS Society of Alberta. | |
Expedia Cruises in Chestermere
Expedia Cruises in Chestermere generously donated $6,500 to the Society thanks to bookings for the Ultimate Ice Bucket Cruise for a Cause sailing in Alaska.
Many thanks to all those who booked, and to Karin and Kelly of #ExpediaCruisesinChestermere for their initiative and generosity.
Interested in supporting the Society by Cruising for a Cause this year? A portion of each booking made for the upcoming Mayan Riviera Cruise for a Cause sailing (November 24-28) will be donated to the Society. Packages start as low as $3900 per person.
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Friends, family members, and others made the trip from all over Alberta to Canmore for this special ride - some coming from Leduc, Edmonton, St. Albert, or further still!
We are incredibly grateful to the Stegerman Family for their dedication, generosity, and organization of this event.
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1st Annual Cycle for ALS
The 1st Annual Cycle for ALS took place on August 19 in the Rocky Mountains. Over $30,000 (with more still coming) has been raised in memory of Rita Stegerman.
| We look forward to announcing details regarding the 2nd Annual Cycle for ALS this winter! | |
2023 Calgary Casino - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! | |
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Did you know? Casino events historically bring in over $75,000 to the Society, but we cannot do this without your help!
We are still looking for volunteers for the Calgary Casino.
Join us on September 22 & 23 at Elbow River Casino!
Please click here to access the sign-up sheet where you can view available shifts.
As always, volunteers will receive a complimentary meal along with snacks and refreshments during their shifts.
Volunteers must be 18 years of age on the day of their shift. Consumption of alcohol and/or non-medicinal cannabis within 24 hours of shift, is not allowed.
Please contact Emily Penley Christmas with any questions.
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Advocacy, Awareness & Research | |
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In June, we recognized ALS Awareness Month by highlighting the incredible stories of resilience, courage, and hope shared by individuals and families who are living with and have been affected by ALS in Alberta. Making It Possible 2023 reached thousands of people, raising awareness about ALS and the challenges we face as a community.
Click here for a recap of Making It Possible 2023
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Drug Treatments
The ALS Society of Alberta is pleased to announce that the provincial government has taken a significant step toward improving the lives of individuals living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by introducing public coverage for both ALBRIOZA™ and RADICAVA ORS®.
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Research Symposium 2023
Many of you attended the 2023 ALS Research Update last April at the South Health Campus in Calgary. Please see below for the recordings of each session.
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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, 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 contact us to discuss other giving options. Thank you!
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