Boitanio Park was abundant in purple hues for the annual Move to Cure ALS walk and event in Williams Lake Saturday, June 15.
The event is an annual opportunity to raise awareness about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and support for people living with the disease.
More than 100 people attended the event, with family and friends helping organizers.
Eileen Campbell started the Williams Lake ALS walk in 2013 after she lost her husband Hughie Campell to ALS in 2010.
"There is no known cure to stop or reverse ALS, yet," Campbell said as she emceed the event.
Volunteerism is at the core of the ALS Society of Canada which means administrative costs are limited to 15 per cent of all funds raised.
Campbell read out a long list of local support this year's event received.
Charlotte Lundeen lost her mom Darcelle Lundeen to ALS in 2016.
One of the event organizers, she said her parents had recently moved to Kelowna when her mom was diagnosed so they did not have a support network there.
"The ALS Society had monthly support meetings for folks with ALS and their caregivers and it was such a helpful thing for my parents, especially to be around people who understood it," Lundeen said.
ALS support also allowed the family to care for Darcelle in her home.
"My mom was afflicted for the last three years of her life. In the last year and a half she lost the ability to walk and move her arms. She lost her ability to speak and swallow but all the while remained the same vivacious, sparkly person she was," said Lundeen. "It was a blessing that we were able to care for her at home. It wasn't easy but we made it work as a family."
City councillor Michael Moses reminded the crowd of the money being raised Saturday, 60 per cent will go toward supporting people with ALS for needs such as wheelchairs and lifts, while 40 per cent will go toward building Project Hope, a new ALS research centre at the University of British Columbia.
Moses said he was honoured to be invited to speak on behalf of the city.
"It is direly important our community show its support," he said.
Cariboo Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson acknowledged people battling ALS for their "courage and resilience," and specifically mentioned Bob McAllister who was in attendance with his family.
"Every action counts and together we can make a difference," Doerkson said.
The event included a walk, led by local piper Audrey Jackson, live music at the hands of Cariboo Connection, a garage sale, barbecue, cake walk, face painting and more.
Watch for more in the Tribune next week on the event and an interview with Bob McAllister who is presently battling ALS.
