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Laced up for the cause (15 photos)

Each year participants in more than 90 communities across the country raise funds and lace up their shoes to walk in events organized by local volunteers. This Saturday was Timmins’ turn to help the cause.

Each year participants in more than 90 communities across the country raise funds and lace up their shoes to walk in events organized by local volunteers.

This Saturday was Timmins’ turn to help the cause.

With approximately 75 walkers showing up at Gillies Lake to participate in this year’s ALS Walk (otherwise known as Mother Nature’s version of the Ice Bucket Challenge), those living with ALS will be given movement, connections, a voice and hope.

As of the start of Saturday’s event, ALS Canada had raised approximately $5,000 of its $12,000 local goal in online donations with additional cash and cheques pouring in throughout the walk.

In 2013, the walks generated more than $3.6 million, thanks to approximately 19,000 walkers and more than 165,000 donors.

In 2014, ALS Canada projects that they will raise more than $4 million across Canada.

Forty percent of Walk funds are invested in vital research to find an effective treatment and a cure for ALS.

A large portion of the remaining money goes toward ALS Ontario’s equipment program which provides things like wheelchairs, lift chairs, tilt commodes as well as adaptive technology that allows those suffering with ALS to continue to have a voice.

ALS Ontario also supports the efforts of Regional Managers who conduct home visits, giving client families peace of mind as they learn of support systems and educational information.

With the popularity of the Ice Bucket Challenge, ALS Canada has increased its’ fund raising goals repeatedly over the last few weeks.

Currently, over $14 million have been raised this year that will be divided throughout the provinces in order to best serve the needs of those suffering with ALS as well as to fund additional research for treatments and a possible cure.

There are currently no effective treatment options for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

It is a terminal disease characterized by progressive paralysis of muscles throughout the body.

ALS destroys motor neurones, making it impossible for the brain to send messages throughout the body.

One by one, muscles become paralyzed, making it impossible to walk, talk, eat, and eventually, breathe.

For some, the legs are the first to go.

For many, it’s their hands.

For others, it’s their voice.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) can begin any number of ways, but it always ends the same: with death.

ALS can strike anyone.

With annual new cases diagnosed estimated at 2/100,000 people, there are approximately 3,000 Canadians living with the disease.

1,200 of those patients are from Ontario and of that 1200, 70 are currently living in Northern Ontario.

Ninety percent of ALS patients die within five years of diagnosis and some in less than one.

While the specific cause remains unknown, promising discoveries in recent years have provided significant clues that should pave the way for new therapies and an eventual cure.

Only through your help, can ALS Canada and their provincial counterparts work to develop treatments for this disease and eventually a cure.  

To make a donation, contact any of the ALS Walk participants to pledge your support or go online.

Pictured: A team of walkers from GoodLife Fitness is joined by Brigitte Labby, ALS Canada Regional Manager for North Eastern Ontario during a balloon release.