November 28, 2017
We would like to invite you to help us support youth affected by ALS in Alberta.
The Support for Champions program allows children whose parents are affected by ALS to participate in childhood activities that may not be available to them due to the immense financial burden of ALS. The program invites parents or children to apply to the Society for funding for events or activities that the child would like to participate in.
"My son, Owen, received money for his basketball season this year from the Support for Champions program. His father has been living with ALS for the past five years. Owen loves playing basketball, skiing, biking, skateboarding and playing video games. When he is visiting his dad, he makes paper airplanes to hang in his room. He is a creative, active and loving seven-year-old and we thank the Support for Champions program for giving him the opportunity to play basketball this year".
The need for this type of support is real and is currently not being met for many families in Alberta. Many families do not have the financial means and social network to be able to ensure that the children affected by ALS are still able to engage in social activities, deal with their grief and anger appropriately, enjoy childhood despite their parents suffering and look forward to a bright and promising future. For some families there is a real struggle in balancing financial responsibilities and recreational activities, a struggle that the Support for Champions program aims to help.
"I would like to thank you for supporting my mum, to help us purchase my transportation passes for this semester. We appreciate your continuing support." - a Support for Champions recipient.
ALS is a devastating disease with no known cause or cure. Families and caregivers rely on the ALS Society of Alberta to provide hope and support during their journey with the disease. Without the Society’s support, many families would experience a grave financial burden in addition to the emotional burden of the disease. ALS can strike anyone at any time regardless of age, sex or ethnic origin and the average life expectancy after diagnosis is only three to five years.
We appreciate your consideration in helping us to meet our mission of “making each day the best possible day for people living with and affected by ALS.”