Durham Region Walk Ambassadors!

And what great ambassadors they are! Sign up for the Durham Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy by visiting www.muscle.ca/walk and meet the Harold family!

The Harolds have been involved with the Durham Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy since its inception four years ago. Although hesitant at first to get involved, Janice stepped up and decided to become a member of the Volunteer Planning Committee. For the past three years, Janice has been the Chair Person of the committee and The Harold family has played a major role in growing the Durham Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy event into the great success it is today.



Alex was first diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in 1997. Since that time, he has developed into a true ambassador in the fight against muscular dystrophy. Alex has spent countless hours helping with various Muscular Dystrophy Canada initiatives including attending Firefighter Boot Drives, golf tournaments and the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy. Most notably of all, Alex has been a speaker at numerous awareness and promotional events in support of Muscular Dystrophy Canada.

Team Alex, the Harold’s family team that participates each year in the Durham Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy, has become not only a top fundraising team in Ontario but also one of the largest. Janice recalls “We invited people to donate and amazingly, they also decided to join Team Alex and fundraise. It just grew from there. People we never thought of decided to join.” Alex’s story, which was profiled last year in two local news articles, was so inspiring that “many came out to the event because they saw Alex’s story.”

The Walk for Muscular Dystrophy is “ a chance to feel like we are accomplishing something” Janice attests. The event “brings people together and gives us a focus… We have no control over muscular dystrophy but this is a way to feel like we’re doing something… It allows others who are also affected by muscular dystrophy to focus on something other than the tough stuff.”

Through one of his inspiring speeches, Alex puts it well “…rather than sitting by and letting Duchenne win, I have come to realize that there is something I can do. I can get involved. I can use my experiences to educate, inform and teach others about muscular dystrophy. I have the opportunity to speak out about accessibility and inclusion and the importance of fundraising.”

The Harold family’s dedication and commitment is truly astounding. Alex, Janice and Tony’s involvement with Muscular Dystrophy Canada is motivating and inspiring to community members, firefighters and staff. We are proud to have The Harolds as this year’s Durham Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy Ambassadors and thank them for their continued support.

Together, we will make muscles move! But only by signing up or donating today! Visit www.muscle.ca/walk and click through to your local Walk for Muscular Dystrophy.

Do You Know The York Region Walk Ambassador?

It's Christina Massad!!



Christina was the impetus behind the creation of the York Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy. Three years ago, Christina contacted Muscular Dystrophy Canada to start a Walk event in York Region and the rest is history. Christina felt the event was a way to “make me feel better and grow as a person.”


Christina was diagnosed with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy at the age of 14. Initially, Christina “preferred to keep the diagnosis to myself because I didn’t understand what was happening to me. It was all part of the learning process. In my final year of high school, things started to turn around for me. I really accepted my disability and challenges in my life. I wanted people to know and understand that yes there is a challenge in my life but that doesn’t mean you have to isolate yourself.”

Christina is extremely passionate about educating people about what muscular dystrophy is and what it’s like to live with a neuromuscular disorder. In addition to the countless hours she spends working on the York Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy with her fellow Volunteer Planning Committee members, Christina is involved with Fire Fighter Boot Drives, attends conferences in support of Muscular Dystrophy Canada and is an active public speaker for the organization. She was even the inspiration behind a benefit concert whose proceeds went to support the York Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy.

Christina’s drive and dedication is astounding and her positivity and optimism is truly contagious. “If we ever hope to see some sort of cure or treatment in the future we better bust our butts to give that boost to make it happen.”

Christina’s motto is one to be remembered. “Life doesn’t stop because you’ve been thrown a curveball.”

We are so proud to have Christina as this year’s York Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy Ambassador! Thank you Christina for your continued support and dedication.


If you would like to get involved with the York Region Walk or a walk in your area visit www.muscle.ca/walk. It's quick and simple - before you know it you will be helping those in your community!

Meet Your Walk Ambassador Halton Region!

The 2011 Halton Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy is on May 15th and is our 3rd walk of the season! This family friendly event wants to get you out to walk, wheel, roll or run either 1 km or 5 km in support of those living with neuromuscular disorders in your community and across the country. Visit www.muscle.ca/walk to sign up or give a donation.

When you come out to the walk you will get to meet so many wonderful people, like Halton Region's Walk Ambassador Laura Lee!



Laura became involved with the first Halton Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy last year. It was a good way to become more involved in the community. “Having a disability, it’s easy to become isolated. To have goal to work towards and to be part of a team is really inspiring.”

Laura was officially diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease at age 12. With the official diagnosis, Laura has expanded her network and has been in contact with others who also have CMT all over the world. Her philosophy “It’s great to be a part of something and meet new people. You never know what you can make happen.”

Laura has been actively spreading the word about this year’s Halton Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy through her network, social media channels and of course word of mouth. “The more awareness we get the more we’re all going to benefit from it.” Reflecting on last year’s event “To have the day arrive and see all the hard work come together, it’s incredible. You meet all sorts of amazing people and get inspired.”

Laura loves the fact that the Halton Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy allows for the community to join together and raise awareness of neuromuscular disorders. “The people who attend have all different levels of mobility all with the same goal of doing the Walk. We’re going to do it, we’re going to do it our way and we’re proud of it. That is so inspiring. It helps lift an entire community.”

Thank you Laura for your continued support and for being this year’s Halton Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy Ambassador!

Together, we will make muscles move!

Niagara Walk Ambassadors

Last week we met Ethan from Windsor - this week it is the Smith Family from Niagara! Getting to know some of the ambassadors from our local walks is so much fun I think I'll post two next week! Stay tuned to see if your local ambassador will be the one profiled next!

MEET THE SMITHS!



Angela became involved with the new Niagara Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy this fall. She became involved because “it’s a great way to create awareness in the community of this disease as well as just a chance to meet other people involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Canada.”

The family is rallying around the event. They feel the Walk will give a feeling of care and support as people will be taking time out of their busy lives to walk for this cause. Ben was four when he was diagnosed with duchenne's muscular dystrophy. Angela recounted

“I had never even heard of muscular dystrophy or even anyone who had it until the day Ben was diagnosed. Most people I tell what Ben has, I have to explain what it is, as they don't know either. I didn't realize what a horrible disease it is.”

The Smiths recognize that the Niagara Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy will benefit their family but also the community. “It is a chance to get together with people who have the same goals of raising money and awareness of this disease.”

At this time, Angela and her family are telling everyone they know about the Niagara Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy. Angela will be handing out information to her children’s schools, church, and businesses in their area as well as to friends and family.

Thank you to Angela, Brandon, Amber, Brianna and Ben for being this year’s Niagara Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy Ambassadors! Together, we will make muscles move!

If you would like to support people like the Smiths it's easy to do. Just head over to www.muscle.ca/walk - pick your local walk and sign up! Raise some funds and come out for a great family friendly day!! Or feel free to make a donation if you can't make it out that day. Either way you'll be doing something positive to help those in your community.

Meet your 2011 Walk Ambassadors!

Another walk year is upon us! Many have already signed up and are out there raising funds for the walk in their area. Where is your local walk? Check out www.muscle.ca/walk to see the local walks, just click on the one closest to you to find out the date, location and to sign up.

But why walk at all? Most who participate in the walks either have Muscular Dystrophy or know someone who does. If you don't, now you do! Meet Ethan Janisse.

Ethan and his family have been involved with the Windsor Walk for Muscular Dystrophy for the past 7 years. It was important to The Janisse family to be involved and raise awareness of neuromuscular disorders within the community as Ethan himself has duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The Janisse family have rallied around the cause to support Ethan. His mother Christine, father Rick, uncle Ray and aunt Tammy are all members of the Windsor Walk for Muscular Dystrophy Volunteer Planning Committee. In addition, they have also become members of the Windsor Chapter, taking on executive roles and helping to organize various fundraising initiatives in support of those living with neuromuscular disorders in their community.

The Windsor Walk for Muscular Dystrophy is an opportunity to raise funds for clients and families who need the support. “The walk raises money for research for a cure as well as funds to assist local clients with equipment needs.” Ethan’s father Rick describes. The event is also an opportunity to raise awareness and for the community to come together and work towards a common goal.

Thank you to Ethan and The Janisse family for being this year’s Windsor Walk for Muscular Dystrophy Ambassadors! Your dedication and continued support is truly appreciated.

Come out to the walk in your area and meet your ambassador! I'll be posting all the other profiles on here in order of when the walks take place. Windsor is our first walk coming up on May1.
 
Remember www.muscle.ca/walk to sign up or donate to a team of your choice!