June 4th-ALS Walk

In March/April, my sister, Pam, who has been supporting the ALS walk for the last number of years in Newmarket in support of her friend Gail, volunteered for the Georgetown walk. Susan and I were also able to meet the team responsible for the organization of the Georgetown/Acton ALS Walk. Since I had begun my "retired" life I was able to offer my time to assist with the walk. They really didn't need any help from the likes of me but they welcomed Susan and I into the fold with open arms! The entire team was and has been extremely supportive as each and everyone of them has been touched by ALS in one way or another.

Quick history lesson... in 2008 the Georgetown ALS walk was born and had a hugely successful day. Unfortunately, a respected and loved physician in Georgetown, Jeff Sutherland, was diagnosed with ALS, and that was reason for the beginning of the walk in Georgetown. (Our stories are quite similar, both in our 40's, young family, active and relatively healthy before being diagnosed)
What culminated that day was attendance of over 1000 people, record setting money raised, community outpouring and support for the Sutherland family and the ALS cause.

Fast forward back to May and my sister's gang came up with our team name "The Murray Machine". My niece Olivia designed our team's logo and we began to fundraise for the ALS Walk on June 4/2011.

June 4th was the day of the walk and probably one of the most miserable days of the summer! Thunder, lightning and monsoon rains. The walk was cancelled and hundreds of people poured into the Gellert centre atrium. Our Murray Machine team was well represented with over 75 family and friends in attendance supporting our family and the cause.
The Murray Machine fundraising tally was over $40000! It was overwhelming, unbelievable, awesome and I believe the highest team total in Canada!(hope I'm right!).

Jeff Sutherland, his wife Darlene, and their family and friends, continue to drive support for ALS, and the walk, and they are a daily inspiration as to how to positively battle this hideous disease. I also had a chance to meet Jeff's parents and spend a few minutes with them and their kind words, strength and support will only help as we battle on.

Personally it was an overwhelming and emotional day for me to see all those people, and without the actual walk and being outside, it was somebody new in front of me at every turn in the Gellert! Thank goodness for sunglasses!

Our thanks to each and everyone who sponsored our team, we hope we can make a difference and help find a cure!