The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday April 25, 2007 - 7 Teen surprised many people still ignorant about ALS Continued from page 1 everyone else for everything. That's what happens." ALS is genetic in fewer than 10 per cent of cases. Roberts' family is part of that unlucky 10 per cent. "There's only a slight chance of that happening to a family, and we got it," the Grade 10 Oakville Trafalgar High School student said. "Really, though, it can hit anyone, at any time. There's more of a chance of me getting ALS than any of my friends, but it can still hit anyone." And it's always fatal. Two or three Canadians die every day from ALS. Ninety per cent of those with ALS will die within three to five years of diagnosis. For some, it's just months, while others live more than five years. Often, the battle ends when the chest muscles shut down and are no longer able to supply the lungs with oxygen. These facts are on the tip of Roberts' tongue. "It's funny how many people still ask me, `What exactly is ALS?' and how easily I can explain it," she said. "A lot of people still don't exactly know what it is." This, despite the fact that ALS is the most common cause of neurological death in Canada. Spreading awareness and raising money to find a cure is now Roberts' goal leading up to next month's Walk for ALS in Oakville. Her slogan: "To fight to help to save." Her goal: to raise $1,000. Roberts has entered her team, Peter's Path, in memory of her uncle Peter, who succumbed to the disease two years ago. As a Grade 8 E.J. James student, she raised more than $2,000 by getting friends at school, family, neighbours and others to support the cause. She sold Freezies, gave out signs, went door-to-door ­ and Roberts is already on her way this year. The walk is slated for May 21, and she's already putting up signs at her school, asking friends and family for support, and coming up with other fundraising ideas. Roberts is also in the running to win $5,000 for the cause after she and a group of friends made a presentation about ALS which won first prize in her class. Now, her class goes up against the rest of the school. If they win best presentation there, they face winners from schools across Ontario for the big $5,000 prize. "Our presentation is a video of my story," she explained. "I just tell people how many of my family members have died, and that three of them live with it today. I explain what happens." The video runs along with Sarah McLachlan's song, I will Remember You. It brought her teacher to tears. "She was tearing ­ it's a really emotional song, and with the story along with it," said Roberts. "That's the way we thought we could get to the class." The Oakville native says appealing for support is essential for a disease like ALS. A lot of people have heard of Lou Gherig's Disease, but most of them don't know what it is, or just how deadly it is. On top of that, the Walk for ALS hasn't secured any major, corporate sponsors. "It's just really individuals and families who are giving," said Roberts, who learned this after speaking to a member of the ALS society of Canada. When she goes door-to-door telling people about her cause, that's all part of the message. "I just tell people, I've lost 11 family members to ALS, and I tell them what it is. Then I just tell them I'm trying my hardest to raise as much money as I can to help them." As she writes on her Peter's Path website, "It's unfair to all of those who suffer from it. They deserve to live a full and healthy life." To sponsor Kaitlynn Roberts, call her at 905-829-9960 or donate online at http://www.als.ca/events/mysite.as px?fid=1080. Halton's Walk for ALS is Monday, May 21. Registration starts at 1 p.m. with the 5-km walk set to start at 2 p.m. at Bronte Creek Provincial Park, 1219 Burloak Dr. The walk goes on in nearly 80 communities across the country. Last year, it generated nearly $2 million, money used for care and research. For more information, visit www.als.ca/walkforals. Unique Cabinet Concepts DON'T BE FOOLED BY IMITATORS -WE RE TRULY UNIQUE!! Manufacturers of fine custom cabinetry since 1976 · KITCHENS · BATHROOMS · WALL UNITS · BEDROOMS AND MORE We proudly offer a Lifetime Warranty on all of our cabinetry. Our qualified designers are waiting to show you the room of your dreams! We are conveniently located at Between Walkers & Appley Line in Burlington 4150 South Service Road www.uniquecabinetconcepts.com 905-632-0029 " $ d other weight loss programs only to put it all b ow lost 99 lbs., 47 inches off my tummy, waist & hed my goal wieght of 143 lbs. & started my Lifestyle Program. dividual program based on comprehensive blood tests & tests & your medical history, followed up with personal consultations, make sure you can lose weight & keep it off! SureSlim Oakville 2387 Trafalgar Road (Trafalgar Ridge Plaza) SureSlim Mississauga 3035 Argentia Road (Southwest corner of Hwy. 401 and Winston Churchill, in the Supercentre by Starbucks) 905-257-1102 · oakville@sureslim.ca 905-286-4949 · mississauga@sureslim.ca " Canada's $ in Mopar Accessories* Choice or choose up to Saturday is Tire Amnesty Day Get rid of those old tires while helping out a good cause at the 10th annual Tire Amnesty Day Saturday. Halton residents can drop off up to eight passenger tires for free between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Halton Waste Management Site, located at 5400 Regional Road 25, Milton. Those who stop by are encouraged to bring a donation of food or cash for Halton-area food banks. Tires that are brought to the Halton Waste Management Site on Saturday are taken away for recycling to be reused in automotive applications, running tracks and blasting mats for road construction activities. Commercial vehicle, truck and tractor tires won't be accepted on Tire Amnesty Day. During the rest of the year, Halton residents can drop off up to five passenger vehicle tires per year at the waste management site for $5. Get A Great New Vehicle At A Great Price... Then Choose One Of Three Bonus Offers: 1500 up to 1000 in Free Gas** THE LOCKWOOD REWARDS CARD INCLUDED WITH EVERY PURCHASE $ in a Bonus Cash Rebate 750 RVAL DRIVE R QEW or choose up to The Choice is Yours! See Lockwood Chrysler for details. Offer ends April 30/07 RR ST. AFALGAR R Financing Provided By WYECROFT RD. 175 Wyecroft Road, Oakville 905.845.6653 www.lockwoodchrysler.com Lease price is plus P.S.T. & G.S.T. First payment plus freight, license, admin fee, registration fee plus P.P.S.A. and taxes are due at delivery. Freight for Caravan is $1300. Leases are based upon the term specified, 20,400 km per year $0.15 per kilometer extra. Prices inculde all factory to dealer incentives.