Royal’s memory lives on
Mary RoyALS Cause organizes fundraiser in support of ALS society
There was something special about Mary.
A local group — Mary RoyALS Cause — is preparing for a male fashion show and dance in memory of the late Mary Royal and in support of the ALS Society of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
Mary Royal of Glace Bay died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in June 2009, at age 59.
“This is a way to keep Mary’s spirit alive and it’s also a way to help other families like our own because ALS is a very difficult journey,” said Shelley Brown, Royal’s niece.
“We’ve been fundraising every year since 2009 and every year make a donation in her memory to the ALS Society of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.”
Since 2009, the group has donated about $64,000 to the ALS society.
“We have lots of support in the community, it’s wonderful.”
Royal was diagnosed with ALS in 2008 and died 10 months later.
“She was always in great spirits, had a great sense of humour and a big heart,” Brown said. “We’d tease that she’d cook enough for an army. She was always sending meals out to people … she was very kind.”
Brown said her aunt was very brave.
“She did live life as fully as she could.” Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a disease that gradually paralyzes people because the brain is no longer able to communicate with the muscles of the body. Over time, as the muscles of the body break down, someone living with ALS can lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, swallow and eventually breathe.
There is no effective treatment for ALS and no cure.
Brown said the ALS Society of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia was really good to her aunt so they wanted to give back.
“They do really wonderful things for families living with ALS,” she said. “They have people designated who make trips down and visit your home and set up equipment or bring a hospital bed or anything you need to help you live comfortably as long as possible. They are wonderful.”
The first money donated to the ALS society actually came from Mary herself. In the last months of Royal’s life, a surprise birthday party was held and family came home from all parts of Canada and the U.S.
“She got all sorts of monetary donations and took half of that and gave it back to the ALS society,” she said. “It was her donation of her birthday money that inspired the whole project.”
The male fashion show on
Sept. 9 will begin at 9 p.m. and it will be followed by music provided by Jim (The Kat) MacPherson. Admission will be by donation at the door.
Mary Lynn Sparrow, president of the Glace Bay Radio Club, said the club is a non-profit association focused on giving back to the community and assisting in many different ways including providing space for functions.