Tom and I are pleased to announce that the Feathers of Hope is back fundraising for the ALS Canada Walk to End ALS! 

First, we want to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to the 200 persons who supported the team in its previous 6 participations in the walk. Many of you responded to the call every year, and that means a lot to us.

This year, we chose the new option to do the walk “virtually”, which means that we are not bound to a location and date; you will be able to walk whenever you want, if you want to do it. We will be walking sometime in June in our area to commemorate ALS Awareness Month our way. We’ll let you know on Facebook in case you want to join us.

Last year, we took a break because I had to concentrate on some health issues that are now under control. My body is slower than ever for sure, but I’m still here and I’m not giving up! Living with ALS is very challenging at times. The list of things that I’m unable to do anymore is getting long. I prefer to block the negative and focus on what I’m still able to do, which is more positive. I’m still on my feet, walking around at home with a rollator walker, but I use a wheelchair when we go out. I’m still able to eat solid food, breathe on my own during the day, still have sufficient dexterity and strength in my hands. I feel very fortunate to be still alive 9 years after being diagnosed. When I think that 80% of people diagnosed with ALS pass away within 2 to 5 years, I feel very lucky for beating those odds.

The Walk to End ALS is the largest volunteer-led fundraiser for ALS research, advocacy, and community-based services. It's a way for communities to unite and celebrate hope for a world free of ALS; honour loved ones we have lost to this disease and show support for the nearly 4,000 Canadians and their families living with ALS.

Your support is needed now more than ever. ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a terminal and devastating disease that takes away someone's ability to walk, talk, eat, swallow, and eventually breathe. ALS Societies across Canada provide invaluable support to people living with ALS and participating Societies contribute to the only dedicated funding mechanism for ALS research in Canada - the ALS Canada Research Program. We rely on fundraising efforts and generous donors to provide help and hope to people affected by ALS. 

That's why we are getting involved with the Walk to End ALS. Can we count on you to help the Feathers of Hope again this year?

Please consider supporting the team with a donation to help us to reach our fundraising goal. To mark our 7th anniversary participating in the Walk to End ALS, the first 100 donors will receive a beautiful watercolour memento; a "Feathers of Hope" bookmark hand painted by my lifelong friend Sylvie Morin. Just click on either link below to be directed to our personal Walk to End ALS fundraising pages where you can make a secure online donation and receive an electronic tax receipt. Also, please consider joining the team as a fundraising member. We need your help! After you click on either link, then press on JOIN THE TEAM. The new platform makes it very easy to do it and there’s a instructional video.

https://alscanadawalktoendals.als.ca/ontario/denis-blais

https://alscanadawalktoendals.als.ca/28990/ontario/171112/tom-dando

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Denis & Tom