ALS Walk in Polson Park

Vernon’s Walk for ALS will be held Saturday at Polson Park.

Check-in is 10 am, with the walk at 11.

Coordinator Samantha Mayall says everyone is welcome to take part in the family friendly 5-km walk.

“We are trying to raise funds for research and to provide direct support to ALS patients, their families and caregivers.”

Mayall says the event will also include The Participaction 150 Event.

“The government of Canada will be encouraging families and young children to move and get more exercise, so there will be quite a few events like a surfing simulator and road hockey shoot-out.”

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive, neuromuscular disease.

“It attacks the motor neurons that transmit electrical impulses from the brain to the voluntary muscles in the body,” says Mayall. “When they fail to receive messages, the muscles lose strength, atrophy and die. ALS can strike anyone at any time, regardless of age, gender, or ethnic origin.It does not affect the senses, and only rarely does it affect the mind.”

You can get more details at www.walkforalis.ca.

“The Walk for ALS across Canada is the signature event to raise awareness and funds for patient services for people living with ALS, and the Canadian ALS Research Program,” says Wendy Toyer, Executive Director of the ALS Society of BC. “The impact is twofold; aside from raising funds and awareness, this event empowers people affected by ALS–the patients, families, friends, caregivers, and health care professionals–to take back some of what ALS has taken away.”