NANAIMO — Competing in triathlons across the country won’t be easy, but a Vernon couple has motivation on their side.
Mike Pearson, 63, and Donna Bartel, 59, start Trii’ing to End ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) on Sunday, May 11 at Nanaimo’s Westwood Lake Park.
The devastating progressive, often fatal neurological disease affects brain and spinal cord nerve cells, leading to increasingly restrictive muscle control.
ALS claimed the life of Pearson’s great uncle and Bartel’s mother.
They’re swimming, 750 meters, cycling 20 kilometers and running five kilometers 17 times in all 10 provinces and three territories over the next four months as they zig-zagging across the country in a truck and RV.
Pearson said B.C. is starting to make a comeback after falling well behind the standard of care ALS patients expect and deserve.
“When you have ALS it’s a devastating disease and then you’re having to travel and you’re tired from that — we need to have more resources in B.C.”
Trii’ing to End ALS has a goal of raising $600,000, with half pledged for Project Hope, an emerging ALS research and care hub at Vancouver’s University of British Columbia campus.
Bartel said advocacy isn’t easy for those inflicted by the compounding effects of the disease.
“Two to five years is the average life expectancy…it’s hard to get around, sometimes people don’t like to put themselves out there, you end up not being able to speak,” Bartel said.
The City of Nanaimo made an official proclamation for Tri’iing to End ALS for Sunday, while the iconic Bastion structure is currently ignited purple nightly in recognition of the cause.
Pearson and Bartel’s more than 24,000 kilometre road trip is scheduled to conclude back in B.C at Fraser Valley’s Cultus Lake on Sept. 14.
A Thursday, May 8 event at Maffeo Sutton Park helped launch Pearson and Bartel’s event and promote Project Hope. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)Project Hope
UBC’s Centre for Brain Health is ground-zero for emerging enhanced ALS patient services and research.
Dr. Erik Pioro is leading the BC professorship in ALS Research, as well as the Project Hope initiative.
Comprised of a multi-disciplinary clinical care team offering tailored services for ALS patients, Project Hope also focuses on research, including pending clinical trials
Dr. Pioro told a news conference on Thursday, May 8 in Nanaimo that ALS patients have long been under-recognized in B.C. for many years.
“In fact, for the past 15 years or so there have been no clinical trials available for individuals suffering from this disease in the province. That’s coming to an end,” he said.
Dr. Pioro is hopeful clinical trials for ALS patients will begin by late this year.
“Donna and Mike are helping us get there. Their endurance is energizing our momentum. Their hope is fueling ours.”
Additional information and monetary donations to Project Hope can be made here.
The ALS Society of BC estimates about 500 British Columbians and over 75 people on Vancouver Island are living with ALS.
Nanaimo’s Bastion structure is glowing purple in recognition of Tri’ing to End ALS (Ian holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)Local news. Delivered. Free. Subscribe to our daily news wrap and get our top local stories delivered to your email inbox every evening.
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