On Thursday, March 30, 2017 we held our 3rd Annual Purple Carpet event with a screening of the documentary film, Gleason.
While mother nature wasn't our very best friend that night (she provided some snow, freezing rain and sleet), we have friends who made the trek and enjoyed a life changing film with us.
We heard from the Christopher Chiu Fellow, Dr. Philip McGoldrick about the importance of ALS research, then a short message from Markham's Mayor Frank Scarpitti, before we had a repeat showing of our short film, My son, Christopher too.
We also heard all about our upcoming 2nd Annual Intentional Walk for ALS on June 10, 2017. We have an exciting contest for all early bird registrants! Register to walk and raise a minim of $200 by Sunday, May 14, 2017 and be entered in a draw for a two-night stay in a Niagara Falls hotel! Details here!
Gleason demonstrated the emotional roller coaster that many ride when diagnosed with ALS. The initial "I can beat this" attitude, the willingness to try anything to make you better phase, the what do I want to do while I still can move / what's on my bucket list phase, the feeling of defeat and anger and then the opportunity and desire to make relationships right in your life.
Some of us in the theatre knew these phases all too well.
Some of us, even having known someone who suffered from ALS, learned the true reality.
ALS is not an easy disease to live through. Gleason portrayed this in a manner that was difficult to watch at times, but hopefully, many of us left with a feeling of hope, and an understanding that people who live with ALS are some of the strongest people we know.
Click on either photo below to view full album of event photos.
