Betty’s Run for ALS expected to draw hundreds

By

The 21st Annual Betty’s Run for ALS, gets underway at Calgary’s North Glenmore Park Sunday morning.

It’s the largest fundraiser in Canada for those with ALS and organizers have high hopes for this year’s event.

Organizers are expecting at least 1,500 people to participate in the run, slated to get underway at 9:00 a.m.

The run was created by Calgary’s Betty Norman, who was diagnosed with the disease in 1996. She died within the year.

Lisa Copeland with the ALS Society of Alberta says Norman’s family and friends spearheaded an annual run in Betty’s memory.

Copeland is hopeful today’s run will raise more than $400,000. She says the funds are desperately needed to help those dealing with ALS.

“60 per cent stays in Alberta and is given directly to client support services. So this includes things like the equipment loan program where we provide equipment free of charge to people living with ALS in the province. This could be a wheelchair, a mattress, an iPad, anything that can help them with their mobility or their communication,” said Copeland.

ALS is a progressive degenerative disease that attacks the body’s nervous system, eventually leading to death.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today