ALS Advocacy
Make a Difference
PLEASE NOTE:
As of November 23, 2009, ALS Canada has a new address and phone number:
3000 Steeles Avenue East, Suite 200
Markham, Ontario L3R 4T9
Phone: 905-248-2052   Fax: 905-248-2019

ALS Advocacy

What a Team!
On Parliament Hill in 2002.  Marion Williams,
Suzanne McDonald Charles Hain & Jill Gilles
ALS Society staff; Tim Stauft, President of
ALS Alberta; in front, Brett Yerex, advocacy volunteer.


SPEAKING FOR OURSELVES

The ALS Society of Canada, in partnership with the Provincial ALS Societies, engages in advocacy to shape public policy so that the needs of people affected by ALS are met. 

Our volunteers and staff have participated in 'Hill Days' where we bring the messages of the ALS Society to the attention of both elected officials and public servants at the national level.  We also maintain communication with these individuals at significant moments. 

Our efforts, along with the efforts of many others, have been successful in securing additional funding for research in Canada through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and in initiating the first Compassionate Leave program for those caring for a seriously ill or dying family member.

Also, we seek out opportunities to work with colleague organizations, such as Muscular Dystrophy Canada and Parkinson Society Canada, to increase the volume of the voices of Canadians living with neurological diseases.

If you would like to know more SPEAKING FOR OURSELVES please contact
Bobbi Greenberg, Director of Communications bg@als.ca 

Advocacy News - The latest ALS advocacy articles.
1.  Optineurin Mutations in ALS

Although most ALS cases are sporadic, 10 per cent are familial, meaning they result from a hereditary gene defect. ◊

"Optineurin Mutations in ALS"
2.  Doctoral Award Recipients Chosen for Passion and Innovation

Attracting bright, young investigators to ALS research isn’t an easy task, but through the funding of generous research awards, promising scientists are joining the fight against this devastating dise ◊

"Doctoral Award Recipients Chosen for Passion and Innovation"
3.  Researchers develop first antibody that detects only known cause of ALS

Researchers at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Medicine have developed the first antibody that detects the only known cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig’s dis ◊

"Researchers develop first antibody that detects only known cause of ALS"
4.  The 2nd International Frontotemporal Dementia in ALS Research Conference

The 2nd International Frontotemporal Dementia in ALS Research Conference is scheduled for: Sunday June 10 - 13, 2007 Best Western Lamplighter Inn London, Ontario Canada ◊

"The 2nd International Frontotemporal Dementia in ALS Research Conference"
5.  Government extends definition of “Family Member”

On Wednesday, June 14th the Conservative Government announced changes to the Compassionate Care Benefit which have broadened the definition of “family” to include other family members, friends and nei ◊

"Government extends definition of “Family Member”"