Dear Friends,

As many of you know, ALS is a cause very close to our hearts. This year marks a difficult milestone—ten years since we lost my sister Gail to this devastating disease. I will be attending Heather's celebration of her mom's life this summer in Newfoundland. In her memory, we must continue to support the ALS Association and the vital work they do.

While time passes, reminders of ALS are never far. Just this year, our Ladies Golf friend, Tom, was diagnosed with ALS.. His condition has progressed rapidly, and watching it unfold has been heartbreaking. He and his wife, Wanda, have already raised over $50,000 for the ALS Walk on June 22nd. Another Mediterra friend, Donna, was also diagnosed  with ALS this year. In both cases, mutual friends have turned to me for guidance - how do you tell someone they are now speeding down a hill with no brakes??

ALS is a terminal illness with no cure and an average life expectancy of just 2–5 years after diagnosis. Yet there is hope. Thanks to donations from supporters like you, the ALS Association has invested over $122 million in global research since the Ice Bucket Challenge and helped drive two FDA-approved treatments in the past ten years. You can read about a recent breakthrough for Familial ALS from the University of Alberta.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/regina-woman-living-proof-als-drug-approved-1.7479176

Our family has walked in Newfoundland and we will be walking in Thornhill on June 22nd, 2025. We hope that we can count on your continued generosity. Your support funds life-changing research and critical care for families facing ALS—like Gail’s, Tom’s, Donna’s and so many others.

With heartfelt thanks,
Denise & Fred