Tenth ALS Walk Held in Prince George
Sunday, June 23, 2013 @ 2:43 PM
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(Piper leads ALS walke around Fort George Park Sunday afternoon. Photos – 250 NEWS)
Prince George, B.C. – The tenth annual walk for A.L.S., or Lou Gehrig’s disease, was held at Fort George Park Sunday afternoon.
The head of the Prince George ALS committee, Gord Wilkinson (pictured to right), called the day a milestone in the history of the walk here. “For ten years the people of Prince George have taken the time to support this walk so that unfortunate people who have ALS can have a better quality of life, and also Prince George has helped provide funds to find a cure. We.jpg)
know many people here, including myself, my wife and family have attended every walk since the beginning ten years ago. We have been able to raise close to $150,000 during that time.” However he also noted that the local committee is down to just four members, which puts a heavy workload on those four. He says they are looking for volunteers who can come forward to help put on next year’s event.
know many people here, including myself, my wife and family have attended every walk since the beginning ten years ago. We have been able to raise close to $150,000 during that time.” However he also noted that the local committee is down to just four members, which puts a heavy workload on those four. He says they are looking for volunteers who can come forward to help put on next year’s event.Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond says she has made it a priority to try to be at the walk each year. “We haven’t experienced it personally but we know many who have heard and understood what it’s like to have a family member, or they themselves, have ALS. What we can do is support and help educate and help research, and all of those things are critical. What we do with this walk may seem like a small thing, but it’s an important thing. Today’s about sharing our time together, supporting those families and those individuals who have a real challenge in their lives when ALS enters their world.”
ALS is a debilitating motor neuron disease which attacks the spine and brain. It is characterized by rapid progressive weakness, muscle atrophy, muscle spasticity, and difficulty speaking, swallowing and breathing. There is no cure at this time. Current treatments are designed to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
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