39 Canadians in ALS community presented with Coronation Medals
Individuals recognized by ALS Canada for research, advocacy efforts
The ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada) has named 39 Canadians to be presented the King Charles III Coronation Medal for their efforts into research and advocacy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The Coronation Medal program, launched in 2023 to mark the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III as King of Canada, recognizes people who’ve helped improve society or gained international recognition for Canada, where about 4,000 people are estimated to live with ALS. This year, ALS Canada was selected to recognize people from the ALS community for the prestigious medal.
“The Canadian ALS community is united in a shared vision of a world free of ALS, working tirelessly every day with each person contributing in their own way,” Tammy Moore, CEO of ALS Canada, said in a press release by the nonprofit, which is dedicated to supporting the lives of people living with ALS and their families. “We are honoured to have this opportunity to celebrate these 39 individuals,” Moore said.
ALS makes it progressively more difficult for a person with the disease to move and control his body as the nerve cells that send signals from the brain to the muscles are proogressively damaged. Over time, people with ALS lose their ability to walk, talk, eat, swallow, and even breathe. And as their symptoms worsen, they’re likely to need more support with daily living and personal care.
A number of treatment options are available that can ease symptoms and slow disease progression, but none can reverse the damage to nerve cells or prevent complications. Research is ongoing to better understand the disease and find new treatment options, however.
Recognized for efforts
ALS Canada recognized the work of the advocates and volunteers Mike Cels, Kevin Daly and Brad MacKenzie (both posthumously), Bill Duff, Jennifer Hutton, Susan Kennerknecht, Mark Kirton, Norman MacIsaac, Ellen Mahoney, Deirdre O’Connor, Cali Orsulak, Beth Robertson, Chris Snow, Paula Trefiak, Cindy Warren, and Evelyn Wilson.
Also named were Claudine Cook, Isabelle Lessard, Cathy Cummings, David Taylor, PhD, Kathy MacNeill, Cheryl Power, Wendy Toyer, and Diana Rasmussen, who’ve led ALS societies in their respective regions.
Among the scientific and medical community, ALS Canada presented medals to Heather Durham, PhD; Andrew Eisen, MD; Angela Genge, MD; Wendy Johnston, MD; Sanjay Kalra, MD; Lawrence Korngut, MD; Geneviève Matte, MD; Erik Pioro, MD, PhD; Richard Robitaille, PhD; Guy Rouleau, MD, PhD; Kerri Schellenberg, MD; Christen Shoesmith, MD; Michael Strong, MD; Christine Vande Velde, PhD; and Lorne Zinman, MD.
“Whether advocating for access to care and treatments, raising funds and awareness, advancing research, or providing individual care and support, their efforts are making a meaningful difference for the nearly 4,000 Canadians living with the disease,” Moore said.
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