The Alouettes and Team Proudfoot encourage Quebecers to join the battle against ALS
Montrealalouettes.com
Montreal – The Alouettes are proud to reaffirm their commitment and support in the fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Better known as Lou Gherig’s disease, the Alouettes are teaming up once again with the Quebec ALS Society to rally and encourage public awareness around this serious disease against which former Alouettes player and broadcaster Tony Proudfoot lost his battle in 2010 and which former fullback Michael Soles in currently fighting since 2005.
This season, the Alouettes will continue to rally football fans across the province around the cause by putting forward initiatives to raise awareness, by participating in the Walk for ALS on Saturday, September 19, at Parc Maisonneuve, as well as supporting the Tony Proudfoot Fund which helps improve the lives of people living with the disease, providing services to families across Quebec and also raising funds for research. Both players and team members have accepted to take on the icy plunge by partaking in this year’s Ice Bucket Challenge for the good cause.
Last summer, the incredible solidarity movement Ice Bucket Challenge was a resounding success and has raised more than $2,660,000, while over 79,000 Quebecers have made donations or accepted the challenge. On a national scale, over $21,500,000 was donated for research, enhancing services for those living with the disease as well as several awareness campaigns. The record amount has allowed researchers, families, medical and government stakeholders to believe that the best is yet to come.
“The Montreal Alouettes have been supporting our Society for nine years now. Each year, their enthusiasm at the Walk for ALS illuminates the faces of those affected and their loved ones,” said Claudine Cook, Executive Director of the ALS Society of Quebec. “Last year, the team greatly contributed to the viral success of the Ice Bucket Challenge in the province. We are highly grateful for the Alouettes support. Thanks to them, the legacy of Tony Proudfoot is still alive!”
The Alouettes, together with the ALS Society of Quebec and Team Proudfoot, invite you to the Walk for ALS on Saturday, September 19, at Parc Maisonneuve. To learn more about ALS and for a complete activity schedule visit www.sla-quebec.ca. Show your colours this Thursday, August 13, in the White-Out Game presented by Tim Hortons. Come cheer on the Alouettes as they face the Edmonton Eskimos at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium. For this special occasion, former Alouette Michael Soles will be attending the game and chearing on his Alouettes.
About the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, is a neurodegenerative disease where the cells in the body that control movement die. The “living wires” which connect a person’s brain to their muscles degenerate, leading to a loss of mobility and eventual paralysis, changes or complete loss of speech and eventually the ability to breathe. ALS is a terminal disease that has no cure, and no effective treatment. Approximately 2,500-3,000 Canadians are living with ALS. It is estimated 1,000 Canadians will die because of ALS and 1,000 will be newly diagnosed every year. The average lifespan is two to five years. Founded in 1983, the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Society of Quebec is a non-profit community organization dedicated to provide support and referrals for people living with ALS and their families, to fund research as well as raise awareness.
