The Walk for ALS will forge ahead in Williams Lake after the ALS Society of BC warned it was in danger of cancellation and in need of an organizer.
Williams Lake resident Chris Seibert, who recently lost her son, Kirk, at the age of 59 to the disease, said she has stepped up to co-ordinate the annual walk, which will take place on Saturday, June 24 in Boitanio Park.
“Thank you to all the prayers, cards, phone calls since the recent death of our son, Kirk, due to ALS from Sieg and I,” she said.
“This walk cannot be cancelled so I have taken on the job of co-ordinating the walk in Williams Lake this year.”
The event has proven to be a huge success year after year and has contributed more than $100,000 towards patient services and research for people affected by ALS in the community.
Proceeds from the Walk for ALS go to the ALS Society of BC to fund research and to provide support for those living with ALS.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neuromuscular disease that affects the person’s motor neurons which carry messages to the muscles. When those muscles fail to receive messages they lose strength, atrophy and die, leaving the person immobilized.
“A big thank you to Eileen Campbell and Heather Robertson for all their work and donated time in co-ordinating the Walk for ALS for the past five years,” she said.
The Walk for ALS also takes place in 15 communities across B.C. and Yukon.
Anyone wishing to help Chris in any way can contact her at 250-392-5087.