Born and raised in Nanaimo, Kerry Winkler passed away from ALS on July 5, 2021. His sister Barb continues raising money for ALS research in his name. (Barb Sedola)

By Jordan Davidson

let's get moving

‘He just wanted things to be better:’ Nanaimo man’s battle with ALS helping inspire ahead of annual event

Jun 18, 2022 | 6:01 AM

NANAIMO — June is ALS awareness month, casting a light on a disease which kills an average of nearly three Canadians every day.

Nanaimo-born Kerry Winkler, who was diagnosed with the nervous system disease in 2017 and became one of those individuals when succumbed to ALS in July 2021.

His sister Barb Sedola works for the Nanaimo region of Pacific Coast Health Services and honours her brother’s legacy by participating in the annual fundraising event with her team, the Pacific Coast Cruisers.

“He was a big believer that we should be doing more in Canada. He participated in a clinical trial, but he had to go all the way to California once a month for a year, and as the disease progressed it got more and more difficult for him.”

Sedola said her brother’s belief in a program called Project Hope is one of the main reasons she’s continued to be involved.

Shorthanded

Clippers fall short hosting Bulldogs

2h ago

off the schedule

BC Ferries preemptively cancels early Saturday sailings

9h ago

firm handshake

B.C. NDP government, Greens reach 'shared priorities' agreement

12h ago

Project Hope aims to develop an ALS research facility, which includes clinical care and support services at a world-class centre at the University of British Columbia.

“He just wanted things to be better for people who come after him, hoping that it’ll be easier for people who come after him.”

This year’s Mid Island Move to Cure ALS (formerly Mid Island Walk to Cure ALS) event takes place on Saturday, June 18 at Maffeo Sutton Park starting at 11 a.m. All funds raised at the event will go towards treatment in the B.C. and Yukon.

Executive director of the ALS Society of BC Wendy Toyer said their signature event was renamed to be more inclusive.

“People are encouraged to come out and move in the best way they can, be it walking, running, rolling if you’re in a wheelchair, or even just being present to support people living with ALS.”

Money raised will go towards the ALS Society of B.C.’s Project Hope. 60 per cent will go to patient service programming while 40 per cent will be dedicated to research. (Mid Island Move to Cure ALS’s Facebook page)

The fundraising goal this year for this year in B.C. is $1 million, while Project Hope has managed to raise about $2.4 million of its $20 million goal so far.

ALS is a fatal disease with no effective treatment or cure, and affects approximately 3,000 Canadians over the age of 18.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow