Mother and daughter participate in ALS Walk for the Cure

By Joan Janzen

KINDERSLEY - According to the ALS Association, ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It’s a rare terminal disorder that results in the progressive loss of both upper and lower motor neurons that normally control voluntary muscle contraction.

Michelle Clarke and her daughter Brooklyn participated in the ALS Walk for the Cure in Saskatoon on June 22. ‘This year it was their biggest walk yet and we walked 5 km,” Michelle reported. “There were people walking and running and there were quite a few kids involved too.”

Michelle has had close friends in Kindersley pass away from ALS during the past ten years and her mother passed away six years ago after being diagnosed. The mother-daughter duo walked in memory of Rosemarie Beauchesne, Russ Gordon, Verne Donald and Sheila Orion.

The ALS Society of Saskatchewan estimates there are up to 125 people with ALS in Saskatchewan, and 73 people are registered with the ALS clinic in Saskatoon. The last time Michelle and Brooklyn had participated in the walk was in 2023. This year they raised $1,035 for a cause that is close to their hearts.