We are honoured that Mikael and Frida Backlund have chosen the ALS Society of Alberta as a partner in their work with Alberta Apparel. Over 50% of the revenue from this sweater sale will be donated to the ALS Society of Alberta, helping to fund programs and services across the province. Thank you, Mikael, Frida and Alberta Apparel for this amazing initiative!
Blake shares his GivingTuesday story and photos to thank you, our supporters, for making our Equipment Loan Program possible. In turn, our program makes going to events such as a Flames game a reality.
When asked what the Equipment Loan program has meant to him and his family, Blake Termeer replied “Everything - The power chair and the lift are a lifeline, and such a blessing. I don’t know what I would do without them. They allow me to get out and enjoy activities.”
Recently, Blake and his family were able to attend the Flames game, courtesy of Mikael Backlund. The power chair and lift make it possible for Blake to remain mobile in his home, while also getting out for events such as this. Your support of the equipment loan program, and Mikael’s generosity, made That Game possible for Blake and his family.
Thank you for your support of our programs, that continue to make so much possible for families such as Blake’s.
It is our honour to share Heather Lucier’s Digital Story, where she shares her experience of daughter Jessie’s diagnosis and time spent living with ALS. Their story of resiliency, meaning, and choosing joy while living with ALS is a story of love, caregiving, pride, and family - and it reflects the spirit of so very many of our families.
We wanted to share this very personal story with you, our supporters, on GivingTuesday. Your support continues to help families, caregivers, and clients across this province, as they strive to choose joy and live all of life’s possibilities while facing ALS. Please take a moment to watch Heather’s story - Thank you Heather for sharing your experience.
Digital Storyteller Mike Lang has worked with hundreds of patients, family members and health care providers, from across all injury and illness groups, to help them create short 3 min Digital Stories of their experiences. Thank you Mike for the beautiful stories you have helped many of our families tell.
Our client Sheldon Watt shares his GivingTuesday story, highlighting how the ALS Society of Alberta and the Equipment Loan Program are invaluable on his journey with ALS.
My name is Sheldon Watt, and I was diagnosed with ALS in the summer of 2021. I had just recently retired from my career as a Parts Person, and was looking forward to enjoying a more relaxed pace at our home in the little community of Carbon. However, this would be my new journey now.
By the end of 2021, I had noticed considerable decline in the strength in my arms. Within the first quarter of 2022, I was starting to use aids to walk, and by mid-year, I was using a wheelchair on a regular basis. That is where the ALS Society and their equipment loan program came to our aid.
They have provided me with numerous pieces of equipment at no cost such as an adaptable wheelchair, wheelchair lift, bath aids, stair lift, just to name a few. We are so thankful for this program! An ALS diagnosis is a costly journey for families that often includes home modifications, a wheelchair adaptive vehicle as well as full-time care assistance. Having the support of the ALS Society and their valuable programs is so important for families navigating this difficult and challenging journey. I know we would be lost without them. Thank you so much for supporting the ALS Society on Giving Tuesday - we appreciate any support you are able to provide to this program.
Our client Roger Plante is thankful for your generosity during GivingTuesday, which has helped provide equipment that makes activities such as strolls with friends and family such as Tyrion (pictured here) possible.
The ALS Society of Alberta has been a great supportive organization. Since my diagnosis in February 2022, they have always been there for me. Their equipment loan program is amazing. I have gotten a hospital bed and lift from them. Those have been returned now but I still have my power chair. It's been amazing to spend time with my family or to go out shopping for myself like I used to.
Our client, Gordon James, is thankful for your support that allows him to get out and explore our beautiful province. He shares his story to kick off GivingTuesday on November 29th, as we raise funds for our invaluable Equipment Loan Program.
The news that one has been diagnosed with ALS knocks the wind out of anyone’s sail. But then a lot of lifelines and support appear to help one manage your new reality – family, friends, the ALS Clinic, the ALS Society of Alberta, your family doctor and Home Care.
They all play an important role. One loss for me that was hard to come to grips with was decreasing independence and mobility. While we never fully regain these aspects of our lives, the ALS Society has made this transition easier through their equipment loan program. A walker, transporter wheelchair and a ride-on EScooter along with other items all made life easier for our family.
A favorite spot for us has been Kananaskis – close to Calgary with good hiking trails. ALS didn’t change this – same closeness and enough paved pathways. Two favorites of ours are the pathway around the Pomeroy Hotel near the Nakiska Ski Hill and Mount Lorette Ponds Trail. The walker and/or the transporter chair both work for us in these spots. There are handicapped parking spots in both places.
In Calgary I use the ride-on EScooter to navigate the streets and park pathways in our Northwest neighborhood. My daughters and I will often take our neighbours new Labrador puppy (“Coco”) for a walk with us. She’s full of unlimited energy and before every walk she bounds up to me on the EScooter and gives me a face wash. And during the walk she glances at me from time to time to see where I am and periodically will bound over to me and yep, I get another face wash. And the times I don’t go for a walk, Coco will run to the EScooter and sniff the empty seat as if asking “Where’s my man?”. We think her affection and concern for me is because she senses something is wrong with me.
I am sure over the coming year with the continued support of the ALS Society we can continue to get out and explore on the mobility devices. Thanks to the ALS Society and the many donors who help Alberta’s ALS patients stay mobile!
Margaret Dow and Jim Brule began their ALS journey in June of 2022. Margaret had a horrific fall as a result of weakness to her legs. At the time she was unaware that ALS was even a possibility, but more symptoms followed: numerous more falls; losing her ability to speak; and difficulties swallowing and breathing. The next two months consisted of doctor and neurologist appointments, with a rapid admission to hospital so that her breathing and nutritional needs could be addressed. While in hospital, a nurse had mentioned to Jim that he should connect with the ALS Society of Alberta. Jim immediately called, while Margaret was in surgery, in fact. From that initial registration, Margaret and Jim’s lives have been forever changed.
As Jim states, “The ALS Society has been the best thing, the best decision we have ever made. We are very thankful to have the hospital bed because of its adaptability. Margaret is now able to sleep comfortably with the head of the bed up so she doesn’t choke when lying flat. The rails are also keeping her safe”. The IV pole supplied by the Society assists with Margaret’s tube feeding, providing her with adequate nutrition, and leading to improved mood and energy. Both Margaret and Jim identify the staff at the ALS Society as very welcoming and helpful in guiding and assisting them through this entire ordeal.
Having these aides in place has allowed them to remain close to one another as they had hoped to while aging. Margaret’s hospital bed lays next to Jim’s in their bedroom where they can continue to be together through the nights. They can still sit together in their living room watching their favorite tv shows while Margaret receives her tube feeds. These are some of the small moments of affection that so many take for granted, that, with one life-changing diagnosis, can make them the most precious moments of one’s life. Jim and Margaret are thankful to you, our community of supporters, for helping to make their home warm and connected while living with ALS.
Dennis Rommel is our 2022 Edmonton Walk Together for ALS Ambassador, and his story is about enjoying music and friendship as he continues to make things possible while living with ALS. We are thankful to you, our community of supporters, for helping us to provide equipment and support to Dennis and Lorna to help make experiences like this possible.
Earlier this year, I wrote an email inquiring about information regarding the Quonset Days concert to Janet Biemans. I told her about my diagnosis with ALS, and that I was the Ambassador for Walk Together for ALS in Edmonton. Janet generously offered me and Lorna four free tickets for the concert day of my choice, and we decided on the Friday concert: Tim & The Glory Boys, and The Reklaws.
We asked friends Joe & Loretta to go with us to the concert. We went to their house in Didsbury on Thursday, had a great catch up visit and spent the night. Got up Friday morning & off to Medicine Hat. Rode in style as Joe & Loretta took us in their motor home and towing their car too.
Lorna & I stayed at Days Inn, Joe & Loretta in their motor home. Got ready to go out to Quonset Days at Seven Persons. Was an awesome road to Medicine Hat & back to Didsbury on Saturday. We all enjoyed the concert & the weather was great too.
Thanks to Biemans family, and to Joe & Loretta for sharing this event with us. Appreciate your friendship.
Thomas and Trevor in the ALS Society of Alberta’s Equipment Warehouse
As part of GivingTuesday 2022, we wanted to highlight how your donations are put to work as part of the Equipment Loan Program, helping make mobility, communication and a safe home possible for so many families.
The Equipment Loan Program is the heart of our supports and services. Our team works with members of the Allied Health Team such as Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists and Speech Language Pathologists to ensure that our clients receive safe, reliable equipment that is appropriate for their homes and needs.
As a result of your generous donations, the Society provides everything from small equipment including adapted cutlery and button hooks, to boogie boards and iPads for communication with loved ones, all the way to power wheelchairs and lifts for safe mobility in the home and community. Our series of GivingTuesday stories this coming week highlights just how important these items are to our families, and how vital your support therefore is.
We know our community is certainly appreciative of what your support provides - in 2021, the Equipment Loan Program supplied over 1500 pieces of equipment to families in Alberta living with ALS, all at no cost. Busy days in the warehouse can see upward of 20 pieces of equipment going out the door, all managed by our small and dedicated team. The cost of equipment needed during ALS can easily exceed $100,000, so our program truly is a vital and valued form of assistance to our families.
Our Equipment Loan Program is such a critical part of our mission at the ALS Society and our community as a whole, working to ensure that our families can maintain their quality of life, safe mobility, and communication with loved ones. And this program is all thanks to you, our supporters and donors. Thank you so much for helping to keep this vital program going by donating to GivingTuesday 2022.
As we spent time reflecting on previous GivingTuesdays, we discovered that the thank you notes we received truly told our community’s story. The gratitude conveyed moved us, and we are sharing some this week as we lead up to GivingTuesday 2022.
Our mission, that all our staff, board and volunteers truly live by, is to make each day the best possible day for those living with and affected by ALS. Seeing these notes of thanks tells us that because of your generosity, and your donations, we are able to truly make a difference – and help make the seemingly impossible, possible while living with ALS.
With gratitude, we share just a few of your messages.
November 29th is GivingTuesday, the global movement for giving and volunteering that takes place each year after Black Friday. The “opening day of the giving season,” it’s a time when charities, companies and individuals join together and rally for causes close to their heart. We hope that on GivingTuesday you will help us raise funds to continue to support our families in the Alberta ALS community.
Every year we at the ALS Society of Alberta share stories about how the Society helps “Making it Possible,” or “Making Possibilities” for our families. A big part of our mission to make each day the best possible day for Albertans living with ALS is to make the impossible, possible for them and their families - and we continue to fulfill our mission with your support. For GivingTuesday this year, we wanted to share our gratitude for you, our community and supporters, whose generosity makes so much possible for our families.
Because of you, in 2021 we were able to loan out 1561 pieces of equipment to the almost 450 families that we supported. And we know those pieces of equipment are what allow life to continue as normally as possible - they make communication possible… travel possible… staying at home possible… and visiting friends and family possible.
We rely on the support of community members like you to ensure we are there for each person and family who needs us. The sense of community has been so important for our clients, their families and caregivers. This year for Giving Tuesday, we are going to share stories of so much that is possible because of our community of support. Thank you for being part of it.
Watch our website and social media for stories this month… including why donors give to us, the impact that we can make, and the personal stories about what our equipment and support makes possible for our families.
We hope you will consider a gift on GivingTuesday, either through a donation; reaching out to a caregiver or family living with ALS to see how they are doing; a facebook fundraiser; or simply helping spread the word.
Over the last year, we have been fortunate to connect with Sabrina Baker, the owner of Blonde Ambition. Blonde Ambition is a lifestyle brand, apparel, and design shop in southern Alberta. Blonde Ambition does more than most brands; it shines a light on community fundraising and hope. We want to thank and recognize Sabrina for her work and the impact she has made in the community. Sabrina shared with us what makes the ALS Society of Alberta a cause close to her heart and the story of how ALS has impacted her family.
In October 2021, Sabrina’s father was diagnosed with limb onset ALS. Sabrina’s love and pride for her dad is impossible to miss when she speaks of him and his inspiring life. She effortlessly paints a picture of a kind and generous father, friend, and community member, someone who is a fighter and sees the best in every day. This did not change when he was diagnosed with ALS. Sabrina notes that he always does his best to continue moving forward and doing what he loves, like spending time with family and walking his dog.
Sabrina shared that her dad continues to work with her and Blonde Ambition to this day. He helps in whatever way he can! Sabrina took a page from her father’s book and dove right into supporting the ALS community when her dad was diagnosed. She used her business and community connection to create a fundraising campaign with the message of hope and one day at a time. Sabrina shared with us that when life gets hard, her way of giving it back is doing something unique, and she really has!
Sabrina was proud to recognize that her dad has always been the kind of person to give back to anyone and everyone, even if he didn’t have it to give. “Giving back is just a part of us. We have always given back to charities as long as we have been able. It is the backbone of who we are as a business. We believe if we are in a position to help, we should do so, also while raising awareness for some amazing charities.” Blonde Ambition has donated almost $40,000 to date to local charities. When her dad was diagnosed, they saw firsthand the costs associated with the changes and new requirements. They shared that their family immediately knew they had to give back to the ALS Society of Alberta to help families in similar situations across the province. Sabrina recognized that she is very fortunate that her husband is a man of many trades and has been able to help her dad with many new challenges, like building a roll-in shower and making everything accessible and more manageable for him. She noted that she understands this impact on her family and what support could mean for other families.
Sabrina gives back to the community through fundraising campaigns focused on specific charities, using profits from sales. For the ALS Society of Alberta, Sabrina created an inspiring “one day at a time” line, providing hope to those struggling. The line included beautiful shirts and key chains with the inspiring message.
Sabrina did not stop with just one donation; she is a regular supporter of the ALS Society of Alberta with contributions made throughout the year. We are fortunate and gracious of Sabrina’s fundraising efforts for the ALS Society of Alberta. The funds raised from Sabrina and Blonde Ambition will support individuals diagnosed with ALS in Alberta and their families. We also appreciate the community support from those who purchased from the campaign. You can visit Blonde Ambition online at www.blondeambition.ca
If you have an idea for a fundraising campaign, please reach out to us at alscommunications@alsab.ca
Richard, Thomas and Trevor in the ALS Society of Alberta’s Equipment Warehouse
The ALS Society of Alberta’s Equipment Warehouse can be overwhelming when you first see it, in part due to the size and scope of the space itself. But also overwhelming to see in one place the massive amount of equipment required for someone living with ALS. As a family navigates the diagnosis and progression of ALS, our equipment team is here to support them in any way that they can, often going above and beyond to ensure our families have exactly what they need.
The Equipment Loan Program, with the support of Client Services, is the heart of our supports and services. Our families quickly learn how daunting the amount of equipment needed for someone living with ALS is, and the potential cost associated. Our program is here to fill in the gaps that exist in other programs in order to meet the needs of our families in Alberta. Working with members of the Allied Health Team such as Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists and Speech Language Pathologists ensures we can provide safe, reliable equipment that is appropriate for the client’s situation. Our team provides mobility and communication equipment at every step of the ALS journey, lifting the stress of sourcing equipment while also removing the financial burden.
The Society provides everything from small equipment including adapted cutlery and button hooks, to boogie boards and iPads for communication with loved ones, all the way to power wheelchairs and lifts for safe mobility in the home and community. Our small but mighty team of Trevor, Thomas and Richard manages the hundreds of requests as they recycle the equipment in and out of the warehouse.
Turnaround time can be as quick as one day, and up to a week for more complicated requests that might require one of our valued vendor partners for delivery and installation.
The team has a “can do” approach to their work, all having such a positive impact on the ALS Society team with their attitudes and care for our clients. The families come first - our team will hear about an emergency facing a family - someone needing to get to respite care for a day but not having a power chair, or suddenly being unable to have a shower without a new lift or mobility device - and they will go above and beyond to get the equipment out quickly to the client.
We know too that the community is certainly appreciative - in 2021, the Equipment Loan Program supplied over 1500 pieces of equipment to families in Alberta living with ALS, all at no cost. Busy days in the warehouse can see upward of 20 pieces of equipment going out the door, all managed by our small and dedicated team. The cost of equipment needed during ALS can easily exceed $100,000, so our program truly is a vital and valued form of assistance to our families.
The Society is also incredibly appreciative of equipment that is generously donated. Sometimes we aren’t able to accept donations because of inventory levels or space, so please check our website to see the items that we are currently in need of. We also have an Amazon Wishlist of items that are in short supply.
Our Equipment Team is such a critical part of our mission at the ALS Society and our community as a whole, working to ensure that our families can maintain their quality of life, safe mobility, and communication with loved ones. It can be a busy and complicated process that our team handles so well. As Trevor says: “Getting to see, on a daily basis, the impact the Society can have is what keeps me waking up in the morning and coming to work. I couldn’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing.”
ALS Society of Alberta Board of Directors Chair, Nancy Lyzaniwski, would like to take a moment to thank everyone for their time, energy and dedication as we returned to in-person events this past summer.
Thank you!!!!!
On July 1-7, 2023 join Expedia Cruises in Chestermere to support the ALS Society of Alberta onboard Holland America Lines’ beautiful ship the Koningsdam, sailing Alaska roundtrip out of Vancouver. A portion of each fare will go directly to ALS Society of Alberta. Dean and Karin Wallace and Expedia Cruises in Chestermere are the organizers of this event, and they have been touched by ALS multiple times over the last 15 years.
In 2005 Dean’s Dad, Glenn was diagnosed with ALS and passed away in 2006. In 2016 Dean’s sister, Karen was also diagnosed with ALS, and Karen and her family were supported by ALS Society of Alberta until her passing in 2017. In 2018 Karen’s husband and sons started the Karen’s Purple Shirt Party to raise awareness and funds to support ALS Society of Alberta. In 2019 Dean’s cousin in another province was diagnosed with ALS and she also lost her battle. And in 2020 a good friend of theirs was diagnosed with ALS and continues to battle the disease, again with support from the ALS Society of Alberta.
Losing so many loved ones to ALS, Dean and Karin have truly felt the impact of the disease. Keenly aware of the work that ALS Society of Alberta does for people and their families living with ALS, the couple wanted to support the ALS Society in some way. Karen remembered the Ice Bucket Challenge and as a travel agency owner thought it could be taken to another level in the Ultimate Ice Bucket, Alaska.
The 7 day cruise from Vancouver to Alaska will be a beautiful trip with a philanthropic purpose for many on board. For more information on how you can join in the ultimate ice bucket without getting wet, please contact Expedia Cruises in Chestermere: chestermere@expediacruises.com or 403-263-3500.
Quonset Days has been such an awe-inspiring and hugely beneficial event since its inception in 2010. The Biemans family (and countless amazing volunteers) have put together something truly special: hundreds of people dancing, singing and drinking to some authentic Canadian performers, with every cent raised being donated directly to The ALS Society of Alberta. This years’ festivities resulted in a whopping $65,000 donation, making the total from all Quonset Days over half a million dollars! So many people came together to make this possible, including attendees, sponsors, volunteers, vendors, and board members. We are thankful for each and every one of them, and so are the families we support. Quonset Days is not only a beacon of positivity on its own, but the funds raised from each event go towards drastically improving the quality of life of so many Albertans.
We can’t wait for next year! Thank you, Quonset Days!
We are so excited to be back in Lethbridge this Saturday! Check the agenda here for complete details. Registration is still open - on-site sign ups will be available, but to ensure there’s enough food for everyone, online registrations in advance are greatly appreciated! For all additional info and the link to register, please visit the registration page.
We hope to see you there!
My name is Michael Webber and I'm 43 years old. My ALS, thus far, has affected my legs and lower back.
When my wife was asked by the ALS Society if I would be the ambassador for this year's event she laughed and said "yea - no. That isn't something Mike would ever be interested in." When she came to me and jokingly asked if I wanted to do this I think I almost gave her a heart attack when I said "sure, why not?".
They say this disease is rare and yet I am the 8th male in 3 generations of my family to receive this diagnosis. My symptoms first presented as hamstring and hip pain. We thought it was because I was working a very physical job on a drilling rig. One August night in 2021, while we were out with friends, my limp suddenly got worse to the point where I was nearly falling over. It was the first inkling that something might actually be wrong.
I made an appointment with my wife’s massage therapist who specializes in nerve pain the next day and he immediately identified the issue as neurological and (to his credit) refused to treat me until I had seen my family doctor. Thankfully my doctor was able to see me the next day and referred me to the ALS Clinic in Calgary and we had the foundation for a diagnosis by October 2021.
While this has been the hardest and most devastating thing we have ever had to face, we are very grateful for the support of our family, our friends, and the ALS Society. The funding that the ALS society receives helps provide walkers, wheelchairs, stair lifts, and more to make life just a little more bearable for ALS patients. But most importantly those funds go towards research that will someday hopefully find a cure for this awful disease, most likely not for me, but hopefully for my son, my nephew and all the other men and women who'll have to go through this in the future.
Register for or donate to the Lethbridge Walk here!
If you participated in one of our Walk Together for ALS events in 2022, or Betty’s Run for ALS in Calgary, we would love to hear your feedback! As we returned to in-person events after a two-year hiatus, it was so wonderful to be back in person. Every location was a bit different this year - some were almost identical to pre-pandemic events, while some were smaller than previous years, or had different locations, or perhaps the event program was different - whatever the case, we would love to hear your thoughts.
Please fill out one of the following surveys to have your opinions noted as we start planning for 2023.
Edmonton Walk Together for ALS: participants please click here
Other Walk Together for ALS locations across the province: participants please click here
Betty’s Run for ALS: participants please click here
Thank you!
We still have two events remaining in the 2022 Walk Together for ALS season! The events all summer have been so successful but also meaningful, as we were able to once again gather as a community in support of our loved ones living with ALS, and also in memory of those we have lost.
Please join us in Lethbridge on September 10th or Hinton September 18th to help raise funds and awareness for those in our province living with ALS and their families.
We can’t wait to see you there!
