Cahill to co-host walk to fight ALS

By NICK GARDINER

Staff Writer


SMITHS FALLS -- Lanie Cahill of Brockville will act as co-host for one of two fundraising walks this weekend sponsored by the Lanark, Leeds and Grenville chapter of the ALS Society of Ontario.

Cahill, whose husband Jim died in June 2005 after a three-year battle with the neuro-degenerative disease, will attend Saturday morning's walk based at the Smiths Falls Legion.

A second walk is scheduled for Sunday in Almonte in concert with several ALS fundraising events scheduled around the province over the weekend.

Cahill will act as co-host with Deborah Lavender, wife of Clark Lavender, who founded the local ALS chapter and who remains "a driving force for ALS," despite ongoing health problems, said event co-ordinator Sandra Burson.

Jim Cahill, a well-known athlete and outdoorsman, became a strong voice for ALS victims and campaigned actively to increase the profile of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Lanie Cahill has also been active in the fight to raise the profile of ALS, but she was unable to attend last year's walk because of a scheduling conflict.

Burson said the Cahills have helped draw people from the Brockville area every year to the walk and she hopes to see the support continue.

Burson said she is reluctant to state a fundraising goal for the twin walks, which combined last year to raise about $31,000 after topping $45,000 in 2004.

"I don't know if I can even say. I'd love to see between $35,000 and $40,000 to get it back up to where it was a few years ago."

A number of incentives are being offered to promote participation.

The Hudson's Bay Company has come on board as a corporate sponsor and is donating a blanket to the leading fundraiser at each walk, said Burson.

As well, all participants will receive a ball cap and people who raise over $500 receive a tote bag. Those who raise more than $1,000 will receive an embossed photo frame.

Sixty per cent of the proceeds are applied towards support and services for local people with ALS and the balance goes towards research.

Post-walk activities are open to the public and include live entertainment, a barbecue and a silent auction.

Registration for the Smiths Falls event begins at 9 a.m. and the walk starts an hour later.

Burson said participants may walk a five-kilometre route from the legion to Lower Reach Park and back. Runners looking for a workout are welcomed to complete the route twice, she said.

For pledge sheets or more information, contact Burson at 613-284-1459.

Sunday's walk at the Almonte Civitan Hall begins with registration at 9 a.m. followed an hour later by a five or 10-kilometre walk.

After the walk, the Civitan Club is holding a barbecue. Live entertainment and a silent auction will also be featured.

For more information, call 613-256-2226.


Published in Section A, page 4 in the Tuesday, September 19, 2006 edition of the Brockville Recorder & Times.
Posted 4:32:13 PM Tuesday, September 19, 2006.