Media Advisory - Canadians donate over $ 10 million to ALS Canada and ALS Provincial Societies through the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS

TORONTO, Aug. 28, 2014 /CNW/ - The outpouring of support Canadians have shown for the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS, has now surpassed $10 million in donations for ALS Canada and  ALS Provincial Societies across the country.

The dollars given through this viral phenomenon will help families living with ALS and fund ALS Research to find a treatment. Currently, there is no cure, nor an effective treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).  

It is with a profound sense of gratitude, ALS Canada and ALS Provincial Societies thank Canadians from all over the country, for their support and generosity.

About ALS Canada
ALS Canada, founded in 1977, is the only national voluntary health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS and support for those with ALS. ALS Canada is the leading not-for-profit organization working nationwide to fund ALS research and, with the Provincial ALS Societies, working to improve the quality of life for Canadians affected by ALS. For more information visit www.als.ca or follow us on Twitter  @ALSCanada and Facebook at ALSCanada1.

About ALS
ALS is a terminal disease characterized by progressive paralysis of muscles throughout the body. Ninety percent of ALS patients die within five years of diagnosis and some in less than one. An estimated 3,000 Canadians have the disease, yet there are currently no effective treatment options. ALS is caused by death of motor neurons, which connect the brain to the muscles. While the specific cause remains unknown, promising discoveries in recent years have provided significant clues that should pave the way for new therapies and an eventual cure.

SOURCE: ALS Canada

Rebecca Grima, 905.248.2052 x 234, [email protected]