The Fraser Valley Walk to End ALS, which occurs in Abbotsford every year, is taking a virtual approach for 2020.
The annual fundraiser will be held on Saturday, June 20 – the day before Global ALS Awareness Day. The Fraser Valley Walk normally includes participants from Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack, Hope and Agassiz.
This year, participants are asked to collect online donations and select a time that works for them on June 20 and take a walk in their neighbourhood. They are invited to take a photo or video of their walk and post it to their fundraising page or share it on social media.
A total of 40 per cent of the proceeds go to ALS research and the other 60 per cent goes to community-based support for people and families living with the disease.
This year, funds raised for ALS research will be matched dollar for dollar – up to $1 million – by Brain Canada.
The Canada Brain Research Fund is a partnership between the Government of Canada (through Health Canada) and Brain Canada, designed to encourage Canadians to increase their support of brain research, and maximize the impact and efficiency of those investments.
ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) s a disease that gradually paralyzes people because the brain is no longer able to communicate with the muscles of the body. Over time, as the muscles of the body break down, someone living with ALS will lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, swallow, and eventually breathe.
To register for the walk or to make a donation, visit walktoendals.ca/british-columbia.
RELATED: B.C. woman helps father with ALS spend one last Valentine’s Day with his wife