Help stop ALS at LCBO



LCBO locations in the city will be among the 600 province-wide taking spare change to benefit the ALS Society of Ontario starting September 1.

Donation boxes will be displayed at checkout counters until the end of the month.

ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rapidly progressive and fatal neuromuscular disease affecting close to 1,000 Ontarians.

Approximately one-third of people with ALS are diagnosed by the age of 45. Eighty per cent of those affected die within two to five years of diagnosis.

"ALS is a devastating disease physically, emotionally and financially," said ALS Society of Ontario President & CEO Maureen Sheahan. "We appreciate this opportunity to raise funds and awareness to assist people living with this disease."

The Society's donation box features the Robertson family of Oakville. Tim Robertson was diagnosed with ALS in June 2004. The father of three, who enjoyed hockey, cycling and golf, is now wheelchair-bound.

The Robertsons have supported several Society initiatives, including Golf 4 ALS and the Halton WALK for ALS, where the photo was taken in May.

The ALS Society of Ontario is one of 26 provincial and numerous local charities that will benefit from the LCBO's donation box program in 2008. The program raises hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.

"We are pleased to partner with the ALS Society of Ontario," LCBO chair Philip J. Olsson stated in a press release. "LCBO's customers have always responded generously to worthy causes, and we thank them for providing a positive change in so many people's lives."

The ALS Society of Ontario is a nonprofit organization committed to providing equipment and support services to people with ALS and their families.

The Society thanks the LCBO for providing this fundraising vehicle and LCBO customers for their generosity.



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