West Kootenay-Boundary Move to Cure ALS is walking the talk, all the way to $20,176.
On Saturday, June 14, the community connected, walked, and paid tribute and honour in support of ALS BC programs and research.
Teams like the Crazy Canuckulas (in honour of one of the guest speakers, Lee Marten) showed up in love and in action in Trail alongside many others.
“We had Team Aladina in memory of Aladina Sheets, Team Scott Macready – in honour of Scott, a wonderful father lost last November, and In Memory of Gord,” said organizer, Helen Bobbitt.
“All teams and participants who helped to fundraise in the first-ever multi-community event at Gyro Park in Trail. Over 100 participants took part.”
Throughout June, the Move to Cure ALS hosts the annual signature fundraising event for the ALS Society of British Columbia because June which is ALS Awareness Month in Canada.
The goal? To end ALS through creating a world-class ALS Centre at UBC, with 100 per cent net proceeds to go to the ALS Society of British Columbia.
“We achieved what we set out to do,” Helen said.
“We wanted to raise awareness about ALS and the signs and symptoms of this fatal neurological disease, along with raising vital funds. Together, within just over three months, Wendy Marten, Deanna Sellars and I started this journey, we were able to welcome teams and participants who helped to raise $20, 176.00 and people can still donate to this amazing cause.”
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects nerve cells controlling voluntary muscles, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually respiratory failure.
“We wanted to try something different. To carry the amazing work of Pam Caron and Team Aladina and others forward from the 2024 event and the original walk that Gord Shannon started 24 years ago in Nelson, that was the first walk in BC! We wanted to spread that energy and love across 15 communities and invite everyone we could to come join us and connect. We couldn’t have done it without the love and support of those who came out to join us and help to make a difference.”
The day featured opening remarks from Kootenay-Monashee MLA, Steve Morissette and Sergeant Lee Martin of the Vancouver Police Department, who lives with ALS but was unable to come on the day of the event due to unforeseen circumstances.”
“We also had music from “That Girl”, Diana Strom, Tim Bourchier and his cousins, Nancy Stanton and Janet Bourchier and Jason Thomas. There was an in-person ice bucket challenge and photo booth, a face painter and the BBQ that fed participants and beyond.”
2025 Trail Ambassadors, Dean Sutherland and Hayden Leduc also helped in so many ways along with BC Ambassador candidate, Raande Wyatt.
“We wouldn’t have been able to achieve what we did without all of the help of our participants and teams, donors, volunteers, families and friends,” Helen shared.
“The generosity of our area communities and the wonderful spirit that emanated in Gyro Park that day, is something to remember.”
Those who registered and donated also had their names put into some amazing draws with prizes that included a beautiful quilt from Jean and Daryl and the Castlegar Quilters, Kaslo Jazz Fest Society tickets, a Ferraro Foods gift card, gifts from the Prestige Mountain Resort in Rossland, Rustic Crust by the Park, the Trail Smoke Eaters, Mountain Soul Vineyard and Winery, Shatti Esthetics, Champion Lakes Golf Course, Luca Hair and Esthetics, Tailout Brewing and from Stacey at Salon Esanté.
“The more that is discovered about ALS, the more we find that it is not rare,” Helen said.
“What is rare, and almost feels hidden, is our understanding of the early signs and symptoms that we have heard that the medical community struggles with when diagnosing patients with this disease. Please, help spread the message of awareness and the important work of the ALS BC organization.”
Donations are still welcome at https://movetocurealsbc.donordrive.com and you can choose the West Kootenay Boundary event to show your support.
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