.. The Peoples group was proud to present a $50,000 cheque to Wendy Magee, Executive Director of the ALS Society of BC. (3rd from right). Presenting the cheque from the Peoples group are: Ian Maxwell, CEO (far left), Lily Purcell, Victoria (2nd from left), Harish Natha, Ashcroft (3rd from left), Stuart Howes, Salmo (4th from left), Susan Capyk, Oliver (2nd from right), and Ron Kumar, Sooke (far right). ..
 
   
.....ALS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the person’s motor neurons that carry messages to the muscles resulting in weakness and wasting in arms, legs, mouth, throat and elsewhere; typically the person is immobilized or deceased within two to five years of the initial diagnosis.
.....ALS is a disease that demands urgent attention. Its devastation is wreaked on the person diagnosed with ALS, the family, the caregivers, and the health-care system. When ALS hits a family, the focus turns to provision of care, equipment, and emotional support to the person who will die in horrific circumstances. In the later stages of the disease the person with ALS often cannot speak, swallow or move anything but his/her eyes; however, the mind remains alert.
The impact on the family is powerful. As they struggle to cope with the prospect of advancing disability and death, it consumes their emotional and financial reserves. ALS is a costly disease in its later stages, demanding both extensive nursing care and expensive equipment. On the broader scene, the health-care system has been pushed to the limit and usually unable to cover the costs of care.
.....In Canada, with a population of 32.5 million, two to three Canadians die every day of ALS. Approximately 3,000 Canadians currently have ALS. Worldwide estimates are seven in 100,000 people are living with ALS. At a world
  population of 6.5 billion, this equals approximately one half-million people worldwide with the disease. In BC, there are over 300 people living with ALS.
.....Peoples Drug Mart is proud to be a Provincial partner with the ALS Society of BC. Since 2005, the independent owner operators of Peoples Drug Mart and Peoples Pharmacy have donated over $120,000 to this worthwhile organization. Funds have been raised through the annual Peoples Drug Mart Charity Golf Event and through in-store promotions like the ALS Stars of Hope and the ALS Vitamin Drive. Many stores participate in local ALS Walks to further support the ALS Society of BC.
.....The mission of the ALS Society of BC is to find the cause of and a cure for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. The Society is also strongly committed to providing support to ALS patients, their families, and caregivers.The ALS Society of BC was founded by ALS patients, their family members and health care professionals to meet the physical and emotional needs of people with ALS and their caregivers. For 25 years, the Society has helped thousands of patients and their families, by providing direct services, information and support. Show your support for The ALS Society of BC by calling 1-800-708-3228 or visiting www.alsbc.ca


WHERE PEOPLE COME FIRST ../hr98sept/PDM%20LOGO  WHERE PEOPLE COME FIRST