The Move to Cure ALS is the annual signature fundraising event for the ALS Society of British Columbia, which brings together family and friends in support of ALS during the month of June at various locations around BC and the Yukon.
The goal is to end ALS through creating a world-class ALS Centre at UBC. 100per cent net proceeds to the ALS Society of British Columbia will remain in BC to support patient services programs (60 per cent) and research (40 per cent) through ALS BC PROJECT HOPE.
Residents as invited to join us virtually or in-person to move together towards a cure for ALS.
Among the many Move to Cure ALS locations across BC is the newly-expanded West Kootenay/Boundary
Move to Cure ALS taking place at Gyro Park in Trail, BC on Saturday, June 14th.
Twenty-four years ago, the first ALS Walk in British Columbia happened in the West Kootenay community of Nelson in 2001 by a passionate community citizen who was diagnosed with the disease, Gord Shannon.
In recent years, it was organized by Trail’s Pam Caron in loving tribute to her best friend, Aladina Sheets, who passed in 2024.
“We carry it forward with loving care and we have expanded participant involvement for the entire West Kootenay-Boundary -that’s from Crawford Bay all the way to Rock Creek!” said Organizer Helen Bobbitt.
“We can only carry this forward, carrying the need for awareness, funds for research and support for those with ALS with you. We need the helpers. Will you join us?”
As of November, 2024, ALS BC’s patient support program also reaches those who may be awaiting a potential ALS diagnosis. There is so much more to understand and this is why we need to support ALS BC and the important work they do.
So much has happened since 2001. How this disease is approached medically, researched and how those diagnosed and their loved ones can be supported. People living with ALS, those in their loving circle of care and support and those who we remember in memory – are why we ‘Move.’
Trail’s Helen Bobbitt and Fruitvale’s Wendy Marten are organizing the 2025 event.
“My close friend, Lee Marten, originally from Fruitvale, received the confirmed diagnosis of ALS this past January,” Helen shared.
“This was after waiting about a year and a half of thinking it was actually something else.”
“Behind the words, “You have ALS” are those being told that story. Then there are the children, the brothers, sisters, cousins, the mothers and fathers and the close friends that those living with ALS have to tell that news to.” Helen observed.
“The entire circle of support of that person feels it. Of course ,there is much-needed money to be raised, but there are also stories to be told and we need to connect with others, for you are not alone.”
“That is what motivated me and I hope it will motivate others help, so that those living with ALS can focus all their energy on themselves and those they love.” Helen said.
“I am blessed to be able to organize this event with Lee’s mother, Wendy Marten who is also from Fruitvale. It will take many villages, and we will show what the West Kootenay-Boundary communities can do. Please join us and register today so we can come celebrate all of the hard work that we will do over the next 10 weeks on June 14th at Gyro Park in Trail,”
Please, join in as a sole participant or a team, as a volunteer, as a supporter!
Who will you Move for? Register and donate here.
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