Cyclists ride for ALS support and research
Their goal was to help support families affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and to fund research into the disease, known as Lou Gehrig ’s disease. To that end, about 200 cyclists rode through the streets of Vaudreuil-Dorion and surroundings during the ninth edition of the ALS Society of Quebec’s Ride to Fight ALS cycling challenge, held Aug. 26 through 28. For the first time, participants included a few people who had recently received an ALS diagnosis.
ALS is a devastating neurodegenerative disease with an unknown cause and, as yet, no effective treatment.
The ride’s events — the threeday cycling challenge, a one-day challenge on Aug. 28 and an Aug. 27 benefit dinner — were based at Château Vaudreuil and raised more than $430,000. Since its inception in 2008, the Ride to Fight ALS has raised more than $1.6 million.
Nearly 400 people attended the dinner, Evening of Dreams, held to honour the society’s “builders.” Among those present were retired National Hockey League players Guy Carbonneau, Vincent Damphousse and P.J. Stock; retired Montreal Alouettes player Peter Dalla Riva and Michael Soles, who played 11 seasons with the Canadian Football League (seven with Edmonton and his final four with the Alouettes). Soles has been living with ALS since 2005.
Quebec actor Martin Matte, whose father died of ALS, could not attend but prepared a video message. Radio-Canada news anchor Patrice Roy hosted, and retired NHL player Yvon Lambert entertained guests during the live auction.
The organization expressed gratitude to the event’s key sponsor, TELUS Health, and also to Château Vaudreuil for its generous hospitality.
The ALS Society of Quebec is a non-profit community organization that provides programs and services for families affected by ALS and promotes and supports research. It relies on donations and the proceeds from fundraising events. You can learn more at als-quebec.ca.
The sixth annual golf tournament
of the West Island Palliative Care Residence, held Aug. 29 at the Royal Montreal Golf Club, generated a net profit of $256,000.
Major event sponsors included Stephen and Nancy Molson, RBC, Quinn Sport Management, OEC Group, Banque Nationale, Cobra Puma Golf Canada, Château Vaudreuil and BMW West Island.
The residence receives onethird of its operating budget from the Quebec government and relies on community support and fundraising for the rest — more than $3 million.
Visit PalliativeCareResidence. com to learn more.
The sixth edition of the Miriam Foundation art auction, held June 7 at Parisian Laundry, raised more than $100,000 to benefit early intervention services for children with autism. Highlights of the event, which was attended by more than 150 people, included the sale of a painting by John Little for $10,500 and the sale for $2,200 of a work painted for the auction by Gilles Labranche.
The Miriam Foundation was established in 1970 to help meet needs of children with autism and/or intellectual disabilities. Research has shown that early intervention is crucial; a priority of the foundation, which funds partners known for providing effective services, is to raise money for preschool programs. Long waiting lists for services often exist.
“The needs are urgent, as one child in 68 is diagnosed with autism and can wait up to two years for early intervention services,” said foundation president and CEO Warren Greenstone.