Volunteer Linda Auger Morissette’s annual fundraising walk in Saint-Basile-de-Portneuf raises more than $10,000 for ALS research

In 2017, Linda Auger Morissette’s brother, Pierre, received an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis at the age of 52.

“This completely shocked my family,” she says. “My daughter, who views her uncle like a father, was devastated, as were my other two brothers. The disease has taken so much away from him in such a short period of time,” explains Linda. “It has robbed him of his speech, his ability to make decisions, his autonomy and his dignity.” 

“My father passed away from ALS a few years ago, and now my eldest brother is also affected by the disease,” she explains. “ALS is truly heartbreaking, and we need to learn more about it to better help those who are suffering.” 

Linda has made it her mission to help support researchers who are working tirelessly to unlock the mysteries of ALS. After learning about Brain Canada, a national non-profit organization that funds brain research, Linda organized an annual fundraising walk, which took place this year on Saturday June 10 in Saint-Basile-de-Portneuf, Quebec. Mobilizing an inspiring community of donors and walkers – dubbed The Perseids of Hope – Linda raised more than $10,000 this year in support of ALS research through Brain Canada. Her funds will be matched by Brain Canada through the Canada Brain Research Fund, and as a result more than $20,000 will go to ALS research thanks to Linda’s efforts. 

I really wanted to fundraise specifically for research that could fuel discoveries and lead to the next breakthrough in ALS.” 

Linda Auger Morissette

As a national convener and facilitator, Brain Canada works with partners from coast to coast to bring together the brightest minds and best ideas to better prevent, diagnose, treat and cure brain diseases and disorders. Thanks to a standing partnership with ALS Society of Canada, more than $27 million has been invested to date in leading-edge ALS research that will accelerate our understanding of ALS. 

“There are approximately 3,000 Canadians currently living with ALS,” says Dr. Viviane Poupon, President and CEO at Brain Canada. “We are so grateful to Linda and her incredible network for supporting research that will help accelerate our understanding of ALS and pave the way for better outcomes for people like Pierre.” 

“I have a lot of hope,” notes Linda. “Seeing how hard researchers are working to find answers for ALS is really encouraging. I have a lot of faith in the researchers, and I have a lot of faith in a better future for people living with ALS, their friends and their families.”