Join the global movement: ALS Canada calls on Canadians to take the plunge and continue the momentum of the Ice Bucket Challenge
2024年8月6日 - 10:00PM
Today, the ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada) recognizes the 10th
anniversary of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge making a splash across
Canada. The viral social media trend united athletes, celebrities,
and politicians, with more than 260,000 Canadians taking part in
the challenge, enduring a few seconds of discomfort while raising
unprecedented awareness and $17.2 million in Canada for amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis (ALS) research, advocacy, information resources,
and services.
ALS is a neuromuscular disease that progressively paralyzes
people because the brain can no longer communicate with the muscles
of the body that we can typically move at will. As a result, people
with ALS often face a swift decline in the ability to talk, walk,
eat, swallow, and eventually breathe. There is currently no cure
for the disease that carries a lifetime risk of 1 in 300 for each
of us.
Challenged by friends and inspired by people affected by ALS
sharing their stories, generous donations were divided amongst the
provincial ALS Societies across Canada, with $11.5 million invested
in research, and the remainder allocated to provide services to
people living with ALS across the country.
"The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was a watershed moment for the ALS
community, educating people who may have been unfamiliar with the
disease and shining a spotlight on how devastating it can be to
receive a diagnosis. We are grateful for the generosity of
Canadians, which continues to have a lasting impact,” says Tammy
Moore, CEO of ALS Canada. “Today, more than 4,000 Canadians are
living with ALS, and while our collective efforts have made great
strides, there is still much work to be done. We remain committed
to advancing research and improving the quality of life for people
affected by ALS."
The significant investment in research back in 2014 was further
amplified by a partnership with Brain Canada, which matched the
funding of the ALS Canada Research Program. To date, this
collaboration has supported 50 research grants in laboratories and
institutions across Canada. These projects have advanced the
understanding of ALS, including its causes, symptoms, and
treatments, and have established a strong foundation for future
breakthroughs in ALS research and care.
“ALS had never received recognition or understanding like other,
more common diseases. The Ice Bucket Challenge changed that,
providing critical funding needed to make progress in our
understanding and treatment of ALS,” says Dr. David Taylor,
Vice-President of Research and Strategic Partnerships at ALS
Canada. “Advancements over the last decade are in part thanks to
the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who took on the challenge
and donated. We’re honoured to work alongside the ALS community and
dedicated researchers as we continue to make progress toward a
world free of ALS."
Funds raised also supported critical national projects, such as
developing the first-ever Canadian Best Practice Recommendations
for the Management of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in 2020 in
collaboration with clinicians. These recommendations ensure that
individuals with ALS receive specialized multidisciplinary care and
address crucial issues such as the timeliness of care,
disease-modifying therapies, medical assistance in dying (MAiD),
and caregiver support.
Among the research initiatives made possible by these funds is
CAPTURE (Comprehensive Analysis Platform To Understand, Remedy, and
Eliminate) ALS, which continues to recruit people living with ALS
and healthy participants at multiple institutions across Canada.
This initiative aims to expand and provide open science data to
collaborate with global initiatives and work to fast-track our
understanding of disease heterogeneity, discover new biomarkers and
accelerate toward personalized medicine.
ALS Canada is calling on Canadians to fill their buckets once
again and help continue the momentum. To support Canadians living
with ALS and invest in Canadian ALS research, donate at als.ca.
Take the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge today, 10 years later, and tag
@ALSCanada on social media. More information on the projects funded
through the Ice Bucket Challenge can also be found at
icebucketchallenge.ca.
About ALS Canada and the ALS Canada Research
ProgramThe ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada) is working
to change what it means to live with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,
an unrelenting and currently terminal disease.
Grounded in and informed by the Canadian ALS community, we
respond to the urgent unmet need for life-changing treatments by
investing in high-quality research that will fuel scientific
discovery and by engaging industry, supporting increased clinical
capacity and advocating for equitable, affordable, and timely
access to proven therapies.
Responding to the tremendous need for current and credible ALS
knowledge, awareness, and education, we empower Canadians affected
by ALS to navigate the current realities of ALS, be informed
consumers of ALS information, and advocate effectively for
change.
Through the ALS Canada Research Program, we fund peer-reviewed
research grants, foster collaboration and build capacity within
Canada’s ALS research and clinical community, and invest in new
areas of research positioned to have high impact. As the only
national dedicated source of funding for ALS research across
Canada, the ALS Canada Research Program aims to accelerate research
impact by providing funding for the most promising ALS projects
focused on translating scientific discoveries into treatments for
ALS. We are grateful for the support of our donors and the
contributions from participating provincial ALS Societies through
the Walk to End ALS.
Join the conversation and connect with the ALS community online.
Find ALS Canada on Twitter, Instagram, or like our page on
Facebook. Visit als.ca to find out more.
For more informationALS Society of
Canadamedia@als.ca437-703-5402
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b574a1e9-9d2d-4a44-9a94-737cfb2cbefb