
Sadly, the promise of Motion 105 was again NOT KEPT. Exactly $0 was allocated towards ALS. When M-105 was passed unanimously in 2017 I was eager for the 2018 federal budget. I was shocked and appalled when there were no targeted funds for ALS research, I mean, they promised (yes, I know how naive that sounds). My spirits were lifted after attending a few ALS caucus meetings in parliament, yes there are ministers that do seem to care.
My friend Eddy & I thought we could not stand by and let them do this to us again so we developed the MP letter writing campaign in which over 2300 of you sent letters to our government. Also, despite M-105 stating that our government would "develop and launch a comprehensive strategy to assist with the eradication of ALS at the earliest opportunity", they did not, so ALS Canada did with CAPTURE ALS. We did everything in our power to encourage our government to keep their promise and they disappointed.
I can't say that I was surprised, but I did have a smidgeon of hope. Instead I was left dejected and feeling like a failure. It is hard enough to keep going with this unfathomable disease, and false hope from politicians who pretend to care feels like another weight I cannot bear.
To hell with them. As Winston Churchill said, "Never, never, never give up". My dad survived the Battle of Britain, so he is living proof! We are going to find a way to do this ourselves.
My dad serves as a great example as he approached his bank and because of that CIBC will be sponsoring this years Ottawa Walk to End ALS. As the GM Anthony stated, "because of Mr. Sharman’s passion for this cause and his ability to connect us with the right people in your organization that CIBC will be moving forward with a sponsorship for the local Ottawa Walk".
The federal budget did include an investment in the Brain Canada Foundation, which has the ability to allocate funds towards CAPTURE ALS, though there are no guarantees. ALS Canada has had a partnership with them in the past so perhaps reaching out to them will promote ALS research.
Other fundraising opportunities include Bloomex Florist, Orangetheory Fitness, Smart & Biggar's Trivia Night and of course the upcoming walk season!
To end on a heartwarming, tear inducing note, my beautiful cousin Chelsea and her fiancé Eric, are also donating to ALS Canada as part of their wedding!
CIBC believes in offering banking that fits your life, and it is their business to help clients, employees and shareholders achieve what is important to them. CIBC's ability to create value for all CIBC stakeholders is driven by a business culture that is based on common values of trust, teamwork and accountability.
To find out more about the different services offered by CIBC, visit: https://www.cibc.com/en/personal-banking.html or stop in to the local CIBC branch nearest you.
Please help me extend a big THANK YOU to CIBC Ottawa for their sponsorship and support!! #WalkToEndALS #ottcity #myottawa#sponsorship #communitypartner
We’re excited to announce that online florist Bloomex Canada has partnered with ALS Canada for their “Get and Give” campaign this year. When you sign up with Bloomex Canada using our special partner account, you’ll automatically get 15% off your purchases until the end of 2019. There’s more! Whether you’re buying flowers, gifts, gift baskets, or balloon bouquets, Bloomex Canada will then give 10% of your purchase to ALS Canada as a donation.
Read about this new partnership in a press release published by Bloomex Canada: https://bit.ly/2Cw1lIZ
For a second year, members of Orangetheory Fitness studios from across Canada are sweating it out for ALS research during their national fundraising campaign. Augie’s Quest is taking place at your local Orangetheory Fitness studio between May 1 and 15. Members are challenged to push harder during their workouts to raise money in support of the ALS Canada Research Program - funding high-quality research with the most promise to slow down or even stop ALS.
In 2018, the ALS Canada Research Program was honoured to receive $250,000 from Orangetheory Fitness and this year, they have upped the ante and are aiming to raise an incredible $400,000!
For information on an Orangetheory Fitness studio near you, visit their website and get involved this year: https://bit.ly/2FRE1HT
Registration is now open at $10/person. To register as an individual participant or as a team (maximum 4 people), please contact Alexandra Wray via email at ARWray@smart-biggar.ca