July 6, 2012 at 3:32 PM
My husband’s uncle Charlie was diagnosed with ALS just over a year ago.
ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease) is a progressive neuromuscular disease in which nerve cells die and leave voluntary muscles paralyzed. Approximately 3000 Canadians currently live with ALS and every day, two to three Canadians will die of the disease. ALS doesn’t discriminate and can strike anyone, regardless of age, sex or ethnic origin. There is no cure or medicine to ease the pain as it eats away through a person’s muscles. In Uncle Charlie’s case, ALS has attacked his lungs, among other places.
The executive board of Local 2002 decided to join the fight against this debilitating and crippling disease. The local donated $1000 to a team on the Halifax ALS Walk on June 16 whose goal was to raise $5000 towards ALS research and support services for people living with ALS and their families. 
Although Charlie has moved from a walker to a wheel chair he is incredibly brave for the rest of the family. Hopefully, through fund raising efforts and awareness, some kind of cure will be found.
Christine Bower
Vice President, Jazz CSA/ACS/Crew Scheduling
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TEAM CHARLIE:
Uncle Charlie, his wife, daughters and grandchildren |