Acton-Georgetown Walk for ALS highlighted in the Ontario Legislature
NEWS RELEASE
Ted Arnott, MPP
Wellington – Halton Hills
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2012
Acton-Georgetown Walk for ALS highlighted in the Ontario
Legislature
(Queen’s Park) – On June 2, hundreds of people gathered at Christ the King Catholic Secondary
School in Georgetown for the annual Acton-Georgetown Walk for ALS.
Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott, who attended the walk, delivered a Member’s Statement in
the Ontario Legislature on June 5 to thank everyone involved.
“The Acton-Georgetown walk has grown into the biggest ALS walk in Canada. Each year, hundreds
of people show up to raise money to support those living with the disease and to fund ALS
research,” said Mr. Arnott. “Last year’s walk raised $180,000. That accounts for almost 13% of the
$1.4 million raised province-wide.”
The Acton-Georgetown Walk has raised over $600,000 over the last 3 years.
ALS is a rapidly progressive neuromuscular disease. Those suffering with ALS have their muscles
slowly degenerate, eventually leaving them unable to move.
According to the ALS Society of Canada, approximately 2,500 to 3,000 Canadians over the age of
18 are currently living with ALS. There is no known cure for the disease, but Mr. Arnott believes that
the compassion of our community gives cause for hope
Mr. Arnott recognized Dr. Jeff Sutherland and Scott Murray, two Georgetown residents who have
ALS: “They have done so much work to raise awareness of the disease, and it was amazing to see
how many people came out on Saturday to support them and others afflicted with ALS and their
families,” he said.
He also thanked the co-chairs of the walk, Mary Jo Knox and Rob Blackburn, and the many other
volunteers for their efforts in making the event such a success.
The month of June is ALS awareness month.
(Attached: Photo of Mr. Arnott and Dr. Jeff Sutherland from June 2, 2012
Hansard record of Ted Arnott’s speech in the Ontario Legislature, June 5, 2012.)
– 30 –
Ted Arnott, MPP
Phone: 416-325-3880
Email: ted.arnott@pc.ola.org
Ontario Hansard – 05-June2012
Mr. Ted Arnott: On Saturday, I had the privilege of attending the Acton-Georgetown Walk for ALS.
ALS, sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rapidly progressive neuromuscular disease. Those
suffering with ALS have their muscles slowly degenerate, eventually leaving them unable to move.
Approximately 2,500 to 3,000 Canadians over the age of 18 currently live with ALS. It’s an awful disease,
for which there is currently no cure. Some 80% of those diagnosed die within two to five years.
But the compassion of our community gives cause for hope. The Acton-Georgetown walk has grown into
the biggest ALS walk in Canada. Each year, hundreds of people show up to raise money to support those
living with the disease and to fund ALS research. Last year’s walk raised $180,000. That accounts for
almost 13% of the $1.4 million raised province-wide. Over the past three years, the Acton-Georgetown
walk has raised over $600,000.
I want to congratulate everyone involved for the incredible success of this event. In particular, I want to
recognize Dr. Jeff Sutherland and Scott Murray, two Georgetown residents who are suffering from ALS.
They have done so much work to raise awareness of the disease, and it was amazing to see how many
people came out on Saturday to support them and others afflicted with ALS and their families. I also want
to thank the co-chairs of the walk, Mary Jo Knox and Rob Blackburn, and all the volunteers who made
the event such a great success.
This month is ALS Awareness Month, and I would encourage all members to take the time to learn more
about this disease and support efforts in their communities to raise awareness.