A message from Sr. Vice President Pam Skinner:
With just over a year having passed since I shared my ALS diagnosis with our college community, I am writing to provide an update on my condition, and to extend an invitation to join Pam’s Posse in this year’s Walk to End ALS, which takes place in early June.
It was in March 2024 that I shared with the Niagara College community that in July 2023, I received a diagnosis of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), a motor neuron disease more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
ALS is a motor neuron disease that progressively paralyzes people because the brain is no longer able to communicate with the muscles in the body. There is no cure for ALS and there are few treatment options for people living with the disease. Over time, as their motor neurons die, people living with ALS lose the ability to talk, eat, move, swallow and, eventually, breathe. You can learn more about ALS here.
While it is common for those with ALS to pass away within 2 to 3 years of their diagnosis, I am fortunate that for me, the disease is moving slowly, so far only affecting my ability to walk and the strength of my hands, allowing me to continue my work at Niagara College that I care so passionately about. The gift that ALS has given me is a heightened understanding of how important accessibility is, and how kind and generous my NC colleagues are.
Last year, the NC community rallied in an overwhelming way to my invitation to join Team NC: Pam’s Posse in the annual Walk to End ALS fundraiser in June. I was completely overwhelmed and remain humbly grateful as the NC community supported the Walk in many ways, including personal donations, and by reaching out to their networks to secure additional donations, all of which resulted in Team NC: Pam’s Posse raising over $28,000.
These funds make it possible for the ALS society to provide support to people like me and my loved ones who are living with ALS while also supporting research to snuff out this disease! Find out more about what your donations support here: Impact of Donations – ALS Society of Canada
June is ALS awareness month, and I am once again reaching out to invite you to join the Posse for the Walk on Saturday June 7th at 10:00 a.m. It’s a lovely walk along the Canal starting at the St Catharines Museum & Welland Canals Centre, 1932 Welland Canals Parkway, St. Catharines.
Sign up to join Team NC: Pam’s Posse by clicking the “Join The Team” button and donate by clicking the “donate” button here: alscanadawalktoendals.als.ca/ontario2025/team-nc-pams-posse Consider asking your friends and family to add their donations to your page.
Your participation and donations make a world of difference for those living with ALS and supports research that brings hope for finding cure.
Stay tuned for updates!
