People living with ALS, together with their families and supporters, laced up in the beaches of Toronto today to raise money and awareness for the fight against the disease. The turnout brought the community out in force for a cause that touches many lives. It was a day built around both fundraising and a show of solidarity for those affected.
The annual Walk to End ALS took place at Ash Bridges Bay Park. Participants pulled on purple shirts and set off on three and five kilometre routes, with the distances giving people of different abilities a way to take part. The money raised is directed toward research as well as support services for those living with the illness.
The disease at the centre of the event is a serious one. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Its early symptoms can include muscle weakness, twitching, trouble swallowing and slurred speech, signs that point to the toll it takes on the body over time.
Organisers stressed the human side of the gathering. The aim, they said, was to bring the community together so that people feel connected, because nobody should be facing ALS alone. That sense of shared support was presented as being just as important as the funds collected on the day.
The financial side of the walk also carries real weight. It was described as a critical fundraiser for ALS Canada and the work the organisation does, both in supporting people living with ALS in their day to day requirements and in making investments in research. The stated ambition behind that research is to help create a world free of the disease.
The Toronto event is part of a wider push this month. The organisation has set a goal of raising 2.1 million dollars, and more walks are scheduled to be held in Mississauga, Scarborough and Hamilton in the weeks ahead. Together, the series of events is intended to keep both the funding and the awareness building across the region.