ALS known as Lou Gehrig's Disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), is the most common form of motor neuron disease. It is a progressive and ultimately fatal neuromuscular disease.

ALS causes nerve cells to degenerate. The voluntary muscles weaken and become immobile. ALS leaves the senses unimpaired and the intellect is often unaffected:

• Approximately 3,000 Canadians live with ALS.
• Two to three Canadians a day die of ALS.

• Support research towards a cure for ALS.
• Support provincial ALS societies in their provision of quality care for persons living with ALS.
• Build public awareness of ALS and its impact.

Elizabeth's Concert of Hope begins a National Tour

Hamilton * Vancouver * Calgary * Regina * Winnipeg * Halifax * Charlottetown * Corner Brook

Thank You, Hamilton…
This year marks Elizabeth's eighth year living with ALS, and thanks to the communities of Hamilton/Burlington the Feb 11th concert will be the sixth and final concert for the Hamilton series. These concerts together with the concert in Ottawa have raised more than $1.6 million dollars for ALS national research and local support services.

A New Beginning….
As the curtain falls in Hamilton it marks the beginning of the final leg of the journey….a National Tour. Elizabeth and the tour team will take Elizabeth's Concert of Hope on the road. In partnership with the provincial ALS societies, they will host a concert in 8 provinces coast to coast with the goal of helping to raise national awareness of this devastating disease.

Our National Sponsors…
Elizabeth has already secured national sponsorship from Tim Hortons, Via Rail, BBDO Canada, and a number of other Canadian corporations have begun to show significant interest in supporting this truly goodwill, Canadian endeavor.

The Tour Team…
Kevin Hicks of Theatre Cares, who has been involved with the Concert of Hope from the beginning, will go on the road with Grandbois as producer and tour manager, and Kathleene Cochrane, who produced the Canada 4 Asia concert after the Tsunami disaster, will work as Executive Director of the project.

The Spirit of our Canadian Communities…
The concerts will focus on the individuality and personality of each community with special consideration for the culture and music of the region. Grandbois is planning to be in attendance at every concert and will partner with a person with ALS or an ALS caregiver in each province to help co-host the concert and engage in media interviews.

“Involving individuals from the ALS community in organizing, publicizing, and implementing such an event will empower all those involved and give them a true sense of ownership of the project. With ALS stealing my physical strength my wish is to share the joy of creating a legacy and pass the torch to someone else.”
Elizabeth Grandbois

For more information please visit www.elizabethsconcertofhope.com  
If you are interested in supporting this goodwill endeavor, please contact your local ALS Society.

For more information about the tour, go to www.elizabethsconcertofhope.com/National%20Tour.htm

“Collectively we have the power to make a significant difference and offer dignity and hope to those struggling day to day with this illness. Being 100 per cent fatal this kind of spirited endeavour is the only hope we have.”

A Guide to ALS Patient Care For Primary Care Physicians

• recognize signs and symptoms of ALS
• understand ALS progression, symptom management, changing patient needs, and the importance of interdisciplinary ALS care
• help your patients and caregivers cope with living with this very complex and progressive neuromuscular disease

Download is now available - click here

The Northern Neuron

The Northern Neuron is a publication of the ALS Society of Canada, highlighting the latest ALS research that is taking place in Canada. In this publication we profile the work of 27 researchers who are working in the field of neuromuscular disorders.

Le Neurone du Nord est une publication produite par la Société canadienne de la SLA, qui met en relief les plus récents travaux de chercheurs canadiens portant sur cette maladie. Dans le présent numéro, nous décrivons les travaux de 27 chercheurs spécialisés dans le domaine des maladies neuromusculaires.

Download the English Northern Neuron (681kb)
Download the French Northern Neuron (976kb)