This summer I am participating in the walk to end ALS for the 7th time. I am participating for my grandma Kathleen and my mom Jillian. 
I first heard of ALS when I was 8 during the ice bucket challenge. Little did our family know we would become very aware of what ALS truly is. In 2019 my grandma was diagnosed with ALS. We converted our dining room into a more suitable living space for her equipped with a hospital bed and all the equipment she needed such as lifts, feeding machine, bipap and anything else she needed. My mom became her full time caregiver. My grandma was one of my absolute favourite people so as a 12 year old I learned as much as I could to help my mom and care for my grandma. ALS took her ability to walk, talk, eat, and breathe on her own. She passed away December of 2020. Before she died we learned she had a gene mutation that leads to familial ALS, she had the C9orf72 gene mutation. 
My mom then received genetic testing and tested positive for the same C9orf72 gene mutation. Since then she has unfortunately experienced significant health complications due to the mutation and will continue to have health challenges as well as frequent doctor's appointments.

By fundraising I hope to support research to find a cure for ALS and the C9orf72 mutation for my mom and for other people like my grandma. I also hope to help support better daily life for those living with ALS.