'It's a horrible disease'; Londoners walk to raise funds for ALS support and research
Over the past two months, Lou Gehrig's Disease has taken two people close to Erin Fickling.
On May 3, 2021, her mother Joan Sinclair passed away from ALS, while just a month earlier her friend Mario Vella passed away after a battle of more than two decades.
Sunday morning, Fickling and her 'Team Forget Me Not' were taking part in the Walk to End ALS in London, Ont.
"It's a horrible disease," says Fickling.
"It just slowly takes away your abilities to function and your independence, where you become slowly relying on everyone else to do everything for you. It's a physical and mental battle for the people that are afflicted".
The progressive neurological disorder which results in weakened muscles and deformity is rare. Less than 100 people have the disease in SW Ontario.
Her mother was diagnosed three years ago at the end of 2018, and like many others with ALS, lived for under three years.
Erin Fickling (R) and her sister Heather Sinclair (L) lost their mother Joan Sinclair (Centre) to ALS on May 3, 2021
"We made the best of it and we took her on a trip to Alaska as a wish trip," says Fickling.
"Even to the end she was doing really well considering with the disease. She was still able to talk a little bit at the end and texting to communicate so at least we were able to have that".
In a typical non-pandemic year, the London walk would be one of the biggest in the country. This year they had 79 participants, and even going virtual, it was a success.
"I'm really excited for the London area because they have surpassed $80,000 raised," says Sheila Dorsch, regional manager for ALS Canada.
"In Ontario we have surpassed $1.3 million raised for community services as well as research".
This month Awareness for ALS was heightened by Major League Baseball, the CN Tower being lit purple, and Niagara Falls recognizing the disease by adding colour for the first time.
With no cure, funds raised will go toward research which will hopefully improve quality of life.
"There's there's ongoing research with exciting clinical trials," says Dorsch.
"We can always hope, and I feel that events like this will bring more awareness. We are a donor funded health charities so we rely solely on the generous donations from the community. The money goes to community support as well as the best Canadian research that we can get".
Well-known Londoner Mario Vella was a staple at the local walk. This is the first one since one of Canada's longest ALS survivors passed away in early May. The normal life expectancy for a person with ALS is 2-3 years, but Vella defied the odds living for more than 25.
Mario Vella, seen at the London, Ont. ALS walk in 2019, passed away in April 2021 after surviving for 25 year with ALS
"I met Mario at Forest City Community Church (FCCC) and I was drawn to him as he was just an amazing inspiration of a person," says Fickling.
"He was always checking in on me and my mom to see how we're doing and offering advice. It was definitely a tragic moment when he was gone, but we are walking here at beautiful Springbank Park in his memory. He loved to spend time here and go with his 'angels' (the term he used for his PSW's).
Next month the FCCC in Lambeth will hold another bottle drive in honour Vella. Proceeds will go towards a memorial Bench at Springbank Park, one of his favourite places to visit.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.