Latest news with #ALSSuperFund
Edmonton Journal
2 days ago
- Health
- Edmonton Journal
The remarkable ex-Leaf Mark Kirton succumbs to ALS
Article content Everyone should have a Mark Kirton in their lives Article content Someone who makes today better than yesterday. Someone who makes tomorrow better than today. Article content There aren't many of them in our world — those built-in genuine optimists who you visit and walk away feeling better about the world, about your life, about the sun that is shining because you spent some time with him. Sometimes it may have been just a visit, or a phone call or a text message or just an email. Article content Article content But always with a smile, maybe a joke, maybe a little laughter, something to feel right about when really there wasn't all that much to smile or laugh about. The former hockey player, Mark Kirton lost his battle with the dreadful disease ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, on the weekend and I don't know if I've ever known anyone quite like him before, or anyone I admired more. Article content Article content We first met in 2021 when he went public with his personal fight and from there a relationship was born. ALS is a monster that takes away your life, bite by bite, piece by piece. It's different for everyone suffering. Some lose their hands first. Some lose their feet. Some are confined to wheelchairs. Some can speak, some can't. Some can see, some can't, It's one part, then another, no timetable for how it goes or how it tears your life apart. Article content Kirton was still selling real estate in Oakville when we first met, working from home, working from a wheelchair, still talking fast, smiling, pushing the product, forever ready to make the next deal. Article content Article content But as he was still working, he began to turn his work to his own disease. What he could go for ALS? How he could find a way to raise more money? Why is it there were drugs in America that weren't available in Canada? Why is it there wasn't enough known about the disease and not enough research being done. Article content He had more questions than answers, and no where to turn for money. Article content So he started ALS Action Canada and began fundraisers for the disease. He wasn't a big name — he wasn't his former teammate, Borje Salming — but he was so engaging. Article content He got the Canadian NHL teams involved in fundraising. He started the ALS Super Fund, which all NHL clubs began events to contribute to. From ALS Action Canada to the ALS Super Fund, he started PALS — an organization for people suffering from ALS. Article content He wanted to connect people going through the same difficulties. He wanted more communication. Just last week, he had planned to meet with television's Ron Maclean and former Maple Leaf captain, Darryl Sittler, to get to work on his latest project.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
ALS Super Fund Partners with All 32 NHL Teams for "Together We End ALS" Auction
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 6, 2025) - The ALS Super Fund, a Charitable Impact Cause Fund led by former NHL player and ALS advocate Mark Kirton, is proud to announce the launch of its highly anticipated auction, supported by the National Hockey League (NHL), and all 32 Canadian and US teams. Building on the success of December's unforgettable virtual concert-headlined by Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo and featuring NHL legends like Hall of Famers Darryl Sittler and Wayne Gretzky-this auction represents the next chapter in the national "Courage to Fight: Together We #EndALS" campaign to raise awareness and funds for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) research, as well as equitable access to treatment and trials. The auction will run from February 6th to 20th, 2025, aligning with the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. Hosted on the Real Sports Auction platform, the event offers fans and supporters in Canada and the US exclusive opportunities to bid on unique items and experiences, including: Game-time experiences with NHL teams, Rare memorabilia from the teams, hockey icons and foundations like the Börje Salming Foundation, Donors in Canada and the US will be able to support the ALS Super Fund through Charitable Impact, receive tax receipts for their donations while contributing to charities advancing ALS research-all bringing us closer to a cure. Mark Kirton, diagnosed with ALS, often called Lou Gehrig's disease, in 2018, has turned his personal battle with the disease into a powerful movement for change. His resilience and advocacy continue to inspire communities across North America. "Mark has shown us all how one person's determination and actions can rally a community to learn about and support something important to them," said John Bromley, CEO of Charitable Impact. "Our platform exists to help all Canadians, like Mark, plan for and carry out the change they want to create." The ALS Super Fund, inspired by patients and powered by Charitable Impact, makes it easy for donors to support ALS by combining their contributions into one impactful fund. A dedicated advisory council of researchers, clinicians, and patients ensures every dollar goes to the most effective ALS charities and initiatives. This auction aims to inspire communities across Canada and beyond in the fight to advance ALS research and accelerate progress toward a cure. Front L-R - Wayne Gretzky Jeff Jackson Mark Kirton Laurie Boschman. Behind L-R - Darryl Sittler Glenn Healy Brendan Shanahan To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: L-R (All Kirtons) - Adam, Lisa, Mark, Sarah, and Taylor To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Standing left - Darryl Sittler then L-R is Luba Sittler, Pia Salming, Borje Salming, Mark Kirton, and Lisa Kirton To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: ALS Super Auction To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: ABOUT CHARITABLE IMPACT:Charitable Impact is an online giving platform that operates as a donor-advised fund. It empowers generous Canadians with the tools and support to create the change they seek in the world by supporting causes they care about, choosing charities that resonate with them, and giving within their budget and personal goals. Since 2011, our community of 207,000+ users has donated more than 1.5 billion dollars, with over 14,600 registered charities benefiting from the generosity of people across Canada. Discover how Charitable Impact is helping Canadians create change at ABOUT CAUSE FUNDS:Charitable Impact's Cause Fund Program addresses a common roadblock for donors who want to give but don't know where and how to do so effectively for a meaningful impact. By leveraging the wisdom and expertise of Cause Leaders-individuals most familiar with maximizing impact for different causes and geographies-donors can confidently and effectively support the causes they care about and trust every dollar will achieve its maximum potential. Learn more at Please find media contact below for further inquiries:Luisa Velez Director, Corporate Communications at Charitable Impactmedia@ To view the source version of this press release, please visit Sign in to access your portfolio
