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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, M ay 24 ,2 01 8 | 34 Over the past decade, mem- bers of the Georgetown/Acton community have rallied to- gether to help people and fami- lies living with ALS make the most of every moment, raising $1.6 million for ALS Canada - funds that provide help to those living with the disease to- day and hope in the form of re- search investment for a future without ALS. Over the past 10 years, the community has lost approxi- mately 20 people to ALS. What they haven't lost is their collec- tive spirit and determination to better the lives of their neighbours. Susan Anderson is one member of the community who can attest to that collective spirit and determination. Since living through the ALS journey with her late hus- band, Scott, Susan will be par- ticipating in the WALK for ALS for the seventh year in a row. "When Scott was diagnosed with ALS in 2010, the first thing he did was reach out to the WALK for ALS co-ordinators and they immediately em- braced him," she recalls. "As a man who had strong roots in Georgetown, he was support- ed by both the WALK commit- tee and the ALS community at large." After witnessing and bene- fitting directly from the warm embrace of the community, Susan decided to give back by volunteering on the commit- tee - something she says has helped her to honour Scott's memory. "The No. 1 thing about the WALK for ALS is that it gives families the opportunity to ral- ly around one another. It al- lows us all to feel like we can do something for a disease that of- ten leaves people feeling pow- erless." One such family is the Grosso family. Catherine Grosso will be walking on June 9 with "Team Walk N Roll with Frank," bringing togeth- er a large crowd of supporters in honour of her husband Frank, who recently passed away. "From the moment Frank was diagnosed, we felt so sup- ported by the Georgetown/Ac- ton community," says Cather- ine. "Every year, our neigh- bours host a holiday light dis- play and they decided to pledge a portion of their donations to us for the past two years. One year at the WALK, we had 150 people show up to support and walk with us." Both Catherine and Susan agree that the WALK for ALS has brought the community together by giving people the opportunity to do something meaningful for a disease with few treatment options. As an event that is almost exclusively run on donations from local businesses, the success of the Georgetown/Acton WALK for ALS can be attributed to the sense of community and gen- erosity in the area. "There is a strong energy in our small town that is always at the WALK," says Catherine. "The volunteers are wonderful and there are smiles all around." As we approach June 9 and the tenth anniversary of the Georgetown/Acton WALK for ALS, Susan continues to re- flect on the life lessons she has learned along the way. "Everyone starts their per- sonal ALS story on a different chapter," she shares. "Scott's life with ALS has given me an appreciation for the communi- ty. It's so humbling and com- forting to know that there are people to support me even af- ter Scott has passed on. "It's not just about the mon- ey they donate," she continues. "It's about the time, thoughtful- ness and kindness they have extended to myself and other people and families living with ALS. The local generosity of the Georgetown/Acton com- munity is beautiful." The WALK for ALS takes place in over 90 communities across Canada until Septem- ber 2018. Register or donate to a WALK near you at www.walk- forals.ca. Donations for all WALK for ALS events are be- ing accepted until Dec. 31, 2018. UREPORT Over the past 10 years, the community has lost approximately 20 people to ALS. What they haven't lost is their collective spirit and determination to better the lives of their neighbours. IFP photo A decade of strength, support and hope with Georgetown/Acton Walk for ALS Shop Smart Save Time Save Money flyers. coupons. shopping lists. Save on your new BBQ with Save.ca Canada's destination for digital flyers and coupons. Save more at Save.ca Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.