In June, I’m participating in the ALS Canada Walk to End ALS in honour of my dad.

Just last summer, he was living his best life—working on the roof at the cottage, starting to build a greenhouse, always busy with some kind of project. He’s the kind of person who never sits still, always building, fixing, creating.

At the end of February this year, he was diagnosed with ALS.

In just a few short months, everything has changed. What started as small weakness in his left leg has progressed quickly—he now needs a walker and can barely take 10 steps on his own. It has since spread to his left arm. Watching someone so active and capable lose their independence this quickly is incredibly hard. ALS is a devastating disease. It takes away movement piece by piece, while everything else remains. There is still no cure.

That’s why my family and I are joining thousands of others across Canada to walk in support of a future free of ALS. Now more than ever, the ALS community needs support to provide hope and help to families affected by this disease. Your support will help to:

• Fund critical research through the ALS Canada Research Program—the only national dedicated source of funding for ALS research—driving scientific progress and building on the momentum of recent breakthroughs
• Provide essential community-based services across Ontario, including support groups, virtual programming, and resources that help improve the day-to-day lives of people and families living with ALS

I’m walking to support my dad, to raise awareness, and to help fund research so that one day other families won’t have to go through this.

If you’re able to donate—even a small amount—it would mean so much. Every contribution truly makes a difference. Thank you for your support.