Edmonton’s annual Walk Together for ALS on June 8 was a chilly and wet one - but that wasn’t stopping over 700 supporters from showing up to Rundle Park. Our team, Heron’s Heroes, were a small part of that event - our first experience seeing all the volunteers ensuring it ran smoothly - from parking, to registration, and serving food. Kudos to all of them.

We proudly wore our purple Walk Together for ALS shirts over the top of rain jackets, as well as multiple layers of clothing… Our team, Herons’ Heroes, was organized for my husband, Larry Heron who was diagnosed with ALS in 2023. Our daughter managed the large team of over 45 participants, overseeing the many generous donations that raised over $10,000 for the very worthy ALS Society of Alberta. Seeing all the participants was a very humbling experience as everyone there was touched by ALS in one way or another.

We are overwhelmed with the countless number of specialists helping us throughout our ALS journey. Our equipment requests have been met with the utmost speed by ALS Alberta, making it possible for everyday life to be the most enjoyable. The ALS Society of Alberta is a very positive and helpful organization, one which we had minimal knowledge of prior to Larry’s diagnosis.

Doctors and specialists in every field that this disease impacts meet with us regularly from the ALS Clinic. Each visit leaves us with so much gratitude. We are able to leave feeling uplifted and part of a large research facility trying to find some resolution to this cruel disease.