Muscular Dystrophy Canada: Walk for Muscular Dystrophy

Walk, wheel, roll or run. Join the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy!

The 2013 Walk for Muscular Dystrophy season is starting soon and we're excited to announce the arrival of our brand new Walk for Muscular Dystrophy website.

Visit walkformusculardystrophy.ca for information on your local event to register yourself or your team, access the new Fundraising Toolkit or to make a donation!

The Walk for Muscular Dystrophy is a fully accessible event that the entire family can participate in. The celebration includes activities for kids, snacks, refreshments and prizes. Bring your family, friends and colleagues and enjoy a fun, relaxed community event that raises spirits as well as funds! The 2013 Walk for Muscular Dystrophy season kicks off May 4th in Toronto. Make sure to check out our new website to get all the details.

For more Walk for Muscular Dystrophy information, contact your local walk lead below

Province	Contact	Email Address
Atlantic Canada	Rebecca Bourbonnais	rebecca.bourbonnais(at)muscle.ca
Quebec		dystromarche(at)muscle.ca
Ontario	Julia Chernin	julia.chernin(at)muscle.ca
Manitoba	Kristen Pachet	kristen.pachet(at)muscle.ca
Saskatchewan	Tammy Reihl	tammy.reihl(at)muscle.ca
Alberta	Terri Tumack	terri.tumack(at)muscle.ca
British Columbia	Alyssa Goad	alyssa.goad(at)muscle.ca

Walk for MD volunteer plans special concerts

A little over two years ago, Chelsea Reid lost a close friend to muscular dystrophy. Until his passing, Chelsea believed he would be cured and they would enjoy many years together. She learned differently as she watched him progressively deteriorate. His strength while enduring his battle against muscular dystrophy taught Chelsea many life lessons. In the memory of her friend, Chelsea has committed to raising funds and awareness for Muscular Dystrophy Canada. It is her hope that the funds she raises will contribute to finding a cure so "nobody else has to lose their friends".

For the past two years, Chelsea has been raising funds for the Saskatoon Safeway Walk for Muscular Dystrophy. Her fundraising this year involves cotton candy, live bands, BBQs, and is organized by Chelsea as she continues working at her job in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. As the manager of a local store, she is able to plan outdoor concerts by opening the loading dock, inviting local bands to play, and clearing out the parking lot for the public to bring lawn chairs and listen to free live local bands. The support has been tremendous so far. The first of her events is completed and a second event is being planned for July. The first event landed on a rainy day but that did not stop the public from coming out and raising $1300.00. Local Fire Fighters from Prince Albert stopped by and showed their support for the event. Team Price Breakers is doing more than raising funds as the event in May was covered by local radio, television and newspapers.

Chelsea anticipates the July event will be bigger and better as local bands are already signed up and are vying for their time slots. The local manager has rented a flat bed trailer for the stage and hopes that the venue will bring out more people and that the Prairie skies cooperate by bringing some sunshine to the event.

Chelsea is committed to making a difference and has chosen Muscular Dystrophy Canada as her charity of choice. She proudly wears her "it takes one muscle to make a difference" t-shirt to continue to promote the Saskatoon Safeway Walk for Muscular Dystrophy, which will be held in September.

Visit Chelsea's webpage to learn more about her events or register for the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy yourself at www.muscle.ca/walk. Chelsea found inspiration from her friend, and we are all influenced by special people in our lives. Who is that special person to you?

Team Kenti knows how to fundraise

Having already participated in the Durham Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy, the members of Team Kenti were happy to learn that the Walk had grown to include new locations closer to home. In 2009, the inaugural York Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy took place and Team Kenti was there to celebrate!

Team Kenti's efforts are fueled by their desire to find a cure for neuromuscular disorders. They Walk for Kent, Team captain Jan's cousin. Other Team Kenti members include Kent's mother Ruth, his aunt Theresa, and cousins Paula and Charlotte. Kent, who was affected by muscular dystrophy and passed away in 2007, has inspired his family to continue their journey in his honour.

"The most important message from the Walk is the education it provides. When I participated in the first Walk, very few of my sponsors even knew about muscular dystrophy. The walk provides awareness; [it is] the first step to putting more focus onto the disease; the individuals who suffer and the families who provide endless hours/years of strength & support," says Jan.

2012 marks the 4^th year that Team Kenti has participated in the York Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy. To support their fundraising efforts, Team Kenti hosts an annual fundraising event at a local bar and this past year was the third time doing so.

The team starts planning for their event in January and hosts it approximately one month before the Walk. Although they focus their attention on inviting friends and family to spend a fun afternoon filled with games, prizes and music, the festivities are open to the public and other restaurant patrons are encouraged to join in.

When it comes to fundraising, the members of Team Kenti have become seasoned professionals. In addition to their fundraising event festivities, the team members each raise funds independently for the Walk. This year, Team Kenti was the top fundraising team at the York Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy and brought in a combined total of over $5,500! This year's event was such a success that they have gotten an early start and have begun planning for 2013.

Thanks to their huge support network, Team Kenti's amazing contributions have helped Muscular Dystrophy Canada continue our mission of enhancing the lives of those affected by neuromuscular disorders and funding research to one day find a cure.

Thank you Team Kenti for all of your hard work and dedication!

Ambassadors inspire at the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy

The 5^th anniversary of the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy, the National signature event of Muscular Dystrophy Canada has arrived! 2012 marks this milestone and the Walk the Muscular Dystrophy events are being held in more locations across Canada than ever! Over 56 Walk for Muscular Dystrophy events will be held from May to October. You can be sure to see participants, volunteers, Fire Fighters, and staff at all of these events, but there’s one more special person or family you should look out for at the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy near you.

Each Walk for Muscular Dystrophy has an ambassador. The ambassador represents all the people with muscular dystrophy that you are supporting by participating or donating at the Walk. Each region’s ambassador is an individual or family that has been chosen as a representative to encompass Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s values: passion, courage, determination and caring. The ambassadors inspire and motivate participants and volunteers to help achieve our vision and mission through the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy.

You can register for the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy in your region or learn more about the events by reading from the top of this webpage. Find out who the ambassador at your Walk is and learn about their journey with the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy. These are just a few examples of the individuals and families for whom the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy raises funds and awareness. Last year, the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy raised over $1,080,000 at 55 Walk for Muscular Dystrophy events across Canada and with your help we can aim even higher!

Register today for the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy, and you could be eligible for the Early Bird prize! You could WIN airfare for two to anywhere that Air Canada flies in North America, including the Caribbean! Simply register online by the early bird date, which is at least 30 days prior to the date of your local Walk event, for your chance to be entered into the contest. More details can be found here.