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Toronto Artist Paints Cards to Raise Awareness for ALS
TORONTO, August 6, 2009- Four of Elizabeth Berry’s paintings will be featured on the ALS Society of Canada’s new cards to promote awareness of the fatal neurodegenerative disease also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The internationally known Toronto artist’s paintings feature cornflowers, the ALS Society of Canada’s official emblem.
"I like to be able to use my art to reach people and help causes. I hope my cornflower cards will help raise awareness of Lou Gehrig’s disease,” says Berry. “Art can make a difference!"
By lending her name and talent to ALS, she hopes to raise the profile of the relatively unknown disease. All cards feature Berry’s vibrant paintings that are unique only to the ALS Society of Canada. Each one bears the logo and website address of the Society so that card receivers can learn more about the disease for themselves.
Despite its fragile appearance, cornflowers are hardy wildflowers that grow across Canada. Like the cornflower, people living with ALS show remarkable strength in coping with a devastating disease. Like the cornflower, awareness of ALS and funding for care and a cure are growing across Canada.
Berry’s annual studio show will be held at 133 Neville Park Blvd. on Nov. 5 and 6, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Nov. 7 and 8, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Travelling around the world, Berry paints gardens, rustic houses, small shops and other inspirations in vivid and bright colours. Many of her creations feature scenes from around her hometown of Toronto and around Canada.
In 1982, Berry won the Archives Award at the Toronto Outdoor Exhibition and subsequent showings earned her Best in Watercolour awards. Sonja, Queen of Norway, recently purchased four of Berry’s paintings. To view Berry’s paintings, visit her online portfolio at www.elizabethberry.com.
For more information about ALS, visit www.als.ca.
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ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rapidly progressive and fatal neuromuscular disorder that causes the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ALS can affect men and women of any ethnic origin at any age. Approximately 2,500 to 3,000 Canadians are living with the disease. Eighty per cent of those affected will die within two to five years of diagnosis.
The ALS Society of Canada, founded in 1977, is the only national voluntary health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS and support for those living with ALS. ALS Canada funds research towards a cure for ALS, supports the provincial ALS societies in the provision of quality care for those living with ALS, and provides information to build public awareness about the disease. The vision of the ALS Society of Canada is to find a cure for ALS.
For more information, please contact:
Bobbi Greenberg
Director of Communications
ALS Society of Canada
Tel: 416-497-2267 ext. 208
bg@als.ca
| Posted On: Thursday, August 06, 2009 Modified: Monday, August 10, 2009 Category: Press Releases Posted By: |