Walk for ALS draws hundreds to Edmonton’s Hawrelak Park

Watch above: Hundreds of Edmontonians laced up their walking shoes Saturday, in support of ALS research. 

EDMONTON – Hawrelak Park was packed Saturday morning as hundreds gathered to take part in the annual Walk for ALS.

ALS, also commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rapidly degenerative neuromuscular disease. It attacks the nerves that the body would normally use to send messages from the brain to the muscle. Most patients die within two to five years of diagnosis and there is no cure.

READ MORE: Edmonton mother with ALS hopeful a cure will be found

Edmonton’s Walk for ALS raises money for the ALS Society of Alberta, which supports people living with and affected by ALS across the province.

People of all ages, and even a few pups, took part in Saturday morning’s walk, which gives people the opportunity to come together to support those living with ALS.

“The spirit is hopeful and it’s joyful and it’s optimistic and it’s a community,” says Tara Pentney, chair of the ALS Board of Directors with the ALS Society of Alberta. “This is definitely a community that are working together, walking together, they are sharing memories today.

“It’s a wonderful day to celebrate the individuals that are living with ALS.”

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In 2013, there were 11 Walks for ALS across Alberta. The walks raised over $1,089,300. For more information, visit the ALS Society of Alberta’s website.

For more information on other festivals and charity events happening in and around the city this summer, visit Global Edmonton’s festival page.

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