The Professional Golfers Association of BC has been presented with the Exceptional Fundraising Award (Group) from the ALS Society of Canada for its support of and participation in the Golf-A-Thon for ALS. The Exceptional Fundraising Program Award recognizes a group that has demonstrated excellence in fundraising programs implemented during 2007. An exceptional program develops an innovative idea and attains or exceeds a fundraising goal.
The Golf-A-Thon was originally developed in 2005 by former golf professional Scott Fraser, ALS patient Bruce Taylor and Rotarian Jerry Feniak. Since that time the PGA of BC has built on their work and expanded a once local event to a province-wide fundraising campaign.
Since 2006, more than $152,000 has been raised to benefit the ALS Society of BC Patient Services Program and more than 12,000 holes of golf played at 35 golf courses throughout BC. The Professionals play golf from sunrise to sunset to raise pledges and donations for patient services programs, as well as raise awareness of this devastating disease. In 2008 more than 70 Professionals at 39 courses have confirmed their intention to play.
ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rapidly progressive and fatal neuromuscular disease that causes the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. As the nerve cells die, people with ALS lose control of their muscles, which makes breathing, eating and even smiling almost impossible. Eighty per cent of those diagnosed will die within two to five years.
The ALS Society of Canada, founded in 1977, is the only national voluntary health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS and support for those living with ALS. The Society funds research towards a cure for ALS, supports our provincial partners in the provision of quality care for those living with ALS, and provides information to build awareness about the disease. The vision of the ALS Society of Canada is to find a cure for ALS.