Dr. Michael R. MacDonald
Harry is a very GSD kind of guy. He is a guy with a big heart who works tirelessly to help others.
We can now join him in helping even more people by walking (as an individual or with your own team) and/or donating to the Walk to End ALS, June 21, 2025, at Springbank Park, London, Ontario. (You can donate even if you aren’t able to join the walk. Here is a link to find a walk near to you.)
About Harry
Our good friend Harry Joosten was in the early stages of his retirement when he noticed that things were not quite right. After a visit to his doctor, then a neurologist for weeks of testing, he was diagnosed with ALS. This was not how he wanted to spend his retirement.
Harry is a fighter. He is determined to stay as positive as he can and to never give up. His wife Kathleen is also a very positive person. They make a good team.
Harry’s ALS is still in the early stages, so he wants to make good use of his time to help ALS Canada and to help others working to manage this serious and life-threatening disease.
He quickly joined the Board of Directors for ALS and has been very active promoting this year’s Walk to End ALS. Harry gets things done.
He has already raised almost $15,000 just over the past few months. We need to start catching up.
About ALS
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease that progressively paralyzes people because the brain loses its ability to communicate with the muscles of the body.
- Over time, as the brain’s connection with the muscles of the body break down, someone living with ALS will lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, swallow, and eventually breathe.
- ALS affects individuals and families in the prime of their lives.
- Anyone can develop ALS regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, geography, or race – although it most often affects people between the ages of 40 and 60.
A Celebration of Hope
Harry was telling me the other day about the new and promising clinical trials underway.
- In 2025, funds raised through the Walk are being earmarked for a match from Brain Canada.
- Matched funds will be invested in the most promising Canadian ALS research in 2025.
Charitable tax receipts will be issued for all donations received in 2025.
Join us in June for the Walk to End ALS. My wife, Sue and I will be joining Harry and his team of Forest City Rollers for this celebration of hope.
Here are the links to donate. We would love to have your support.
Sue’s page https://alscanadawalktoendals.als.ca/ontario2025/sue-for-forest-city-rollers
Mike’s page https://alscanadawalktoendals.als.ca/ontario2025/mike-m-for-forest-city-rollers
You can make a difference today. So, as Harry says, Let’s Roll.
Until next time, let our warm hearts soar!
Michael
michael@aWarmHeart.ca
And thank you for caring that little bit extra – it really makes a big difference.
