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ALS walk in Parksville on Sunday

Do yourself some good while helping others

This ninth annual Mid Island Walk for ALS is gearing up for their big event this Sunday and organizers encourage everyone to join them and support a good cause.

“ALS is a devastating disease that affects the person living with ALS, their family and caregivers,” said Wally Buono, head coach of the BC Lions and spokesperson for the B.C. and Yukon walks. “There is no known cause or cure...  Your participation will help us to raise funds to support people living with ALS, and research to find the cure. Join me in the war against ALS.”

ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s or motor neuron disease, is a neuromuscular disease which causes degeneration in the nerve cells that control voluntary muscles.

It can strike anyone, regardless of age, gender or circumstances. Eighty per cent of people with ALS die within two to five years of diagnosis and around 2,500 to 3,000 Canadians currently live with ALS.

All funds go to the ALS Society of B.C. for research into the cause of and cure for ALS and patient services, with the necessary equipment costing an average of $137,000 per patient.

There will be refreshments for participants and even live entertainment provided by Rick Robson and some of his Ballenas Secondary music students.

Locally the cause is greatly supported by Jared Bertulis, a special volunteer fundraiser who collected more than $900 canvassing door to door this year and has raised thousands over the last few years, according to organizer Ray Walker.

Bertulis encourages everyone to join the walk and help him reach his goal of assisting those who are not as lucky as himself.

Everyone is invited to join the walk and help those with the disease live more comfortably with donated loaner equipment.

Registration starts at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 12 at the Parksville city hall on Jensen. The walk starts at noon. For more information or to pledge check www.walkforals.ca or call Ray Walker at 250-228-8683.