Walden Public School leads WALK for ALS on Thursday, June 23rd

Walden Public School will lead a WALK for ALS on Thursday, June 23rd, 2011 from 1:40 pm to 2:40 pm. Staff and students will take to the streets, pathways and sidewalks in Lively to raise money for research and services to support those living with ALS and their families.

“We invite the community to join us and help raise funds and awareness for ALS,” said Walden Public School Principal Lesley Fisher.  “In recent years, ALS has affected many of the students, families and friends of Walden Public School. We welcome this opportunity to give to a cause that has touched our hearts.”

This event was initiated by Walden School Council Chair, Bill Clarke.  Chair Clarke is a strong advocate for families affected by ALS and welcomes the opportunity to showcase Walden Public School’s community involvement.

The Walden Public School WALK for ALS will be a fun, family friendly event. “We plan to walk down 6th Avenue to Main Street, up Main Street to 9th Avenue, and then back to the school,” said Principal Fisher. 

The Walk has garnered enthusiastic support from Chief of Police Frank Elsner and Fire Chief Marc Leduc. Police and fire vehicles will escort students, staff and guests.

Secure online donations by credit card can be made for the Walden Public School WALK for ALS at the following link:

http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=3046860&Lang=en-CA

Donations are also being accepted at Walden Public School, 249 Sixth Avenue, in Lively. For more information, please call 705-692-3602.

ALS is a fatal neuromuscular disease with no known cure, cause or effective treatment. The WALK for ALS supports provincial ALS societies and their programs to help people with ALS and their families, and the ALS Society of Canada’s investment in breakthrough research…help and hope!

Fast Facts:
• Two to three Canadians die of ALS each day
• Approximately 3,000 Canadians currently live with ALS
• In at least 90 per cent of cases, ALS strikes individuals with no family history of the disease
• Between 5 and10 per cent have a familial form of ALS, devastating families for generations
• ALS can strike anyone, regardless of age, sex or ethnic origin
• While the usual age of onset is between 55 and 65, many younger people, often parents, are afflicted
• Nearly 90 per cent of people with ALS died within 5 years of diagnosis. While some live longer, others die within a few short months

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Media Contact:

Lesley Fisher, Principal, Walden Public School
Rainbow District School Board, 705-692-3602.