United for a Cure: ALS Super Fund, backed by Canadian NHL teams, hits $1 Million With Charitable Impact’s Cause Fund
May 14 2024 - 4:28PM
With tremendous support from Canada's seven National Hockey League
(NHL) teams, individuals and several communities, the ALS Super
Fund has achieved a significant milestone: surpassing its first $1
million in donations through Charitable Impact’s Cause Fund
program. This achievement marks a significant contribution to the
fight against ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), leveraging the
enthusiasm of sports fans to foster social change.
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive
neurodegenerative disorder resulting in muscle weakness, mobility
loss, and challenges with eating and speech. With an average life
expectancy of 2 to 5 years post-diagnosis, the ALS Society of
Canada states that the average cost of ALS to a family is between
$150,000 to $250,000, presenting formidable challenges to patients
and their families.
Given the complexity of ALS and its significant impact on
individuals and families, Cause Funds help solve a familiar problem
among donors: choosing the right charity to support. By providing
donors with a central hub for giving and progress updates, the ALS
Super Fund simplifies the donation process and enables confidence
in support of a complex and multi-faceted cause, as experienced
leaders meticulously direct the money to the most impactful
charities and programs advancing towards a cure for ALS. This
collaborative effort, led by former NHL player Mark Kirton, who is
living with ALS, embodies a growing, patient-led movement committed
to eradicating the disease.
In 2018, Mark received the devastating diagnosis of ALS. Despite
the grim prognosis, he continues to challenge expectations,
confronting ALS directly with unyielding determination. Six years
later, he still stands firm, not only fighting the illness but also
rallying an entire nation in unity against ALS with the Cause Fund,
serving as a symbol of hope for all Canadians wrestling with its
grip.
"Without question, the Super Fund reaching the 1 million
threshold is a highlight in our quest to find a cure for ALS. But
what cannot be forgotten is the incredible ALS advocacy and
awareness that have also been achieved. In many ways, it might be
as important as the donations themselves. People across Canada now
know what ALS is and how devastating it is for the patient and
caregiving families,” said Mark Kirton. “Each and every year, we
want to build on the success sustainably and, of course, not rest
until a cure is found."
Charitable Impact’s Cause Fund program tackles a widespread
issue among donors by providing a solution for giving more
effectively to causes they care about. This idea allows generous
Canadians to contribute to pooled funds targeting specific causes
led by people like Mark, whose experience and knowledge of the
cause trumps that of the average Canadian passionate enough to give
to it. Thanks to the NHL and its fans, the Super Fund has
experienced remarkable growth, directing resources toward vital ALS
research and initiatives nationwide.
“We know how difficult it can be for busy, hard-working
Canadians to feel really confident that they have chosen ‘the
right’ charity. Yet we are confident that among us, there are many
experienced change agents who do know which charities and programs
are most effective for a given cause at any given time. Cause Funds
leaders like Mark Kirton help compassionate Canadians give with
more confidence,” said John Bromley, CEO of Charitable Impact. “The
partnership between the NHL and the ALS Super Fund through our
Cause Fund program exemplifies how efficiently complex change
agencies can move forward when each party plays the role it is best
at…kinda like hockey, I guess!?”
Professor Wendy Johnston, a member of the ALS Super Fund’s
Advisory Council, expressed her gratitude for the joint effort,
"The evolution of ALS Action Canada (and the ALS Super Fund) is
very heartening for me to see; they have a sense of a combined
purpose and desire to collaborate. We are not a big community in
Canada, and we cannot afford not to be working together."
The ALS Super Fund will continue to bring together Canadians in
pursuit of a cure, ensuring that every contribution fuels
groundbreaking research and equitable access to treatment and
trials for those battling ALS. Interested individuals can
contribute directly to the Cause Fund here, witnessing firsthand
the transformative impact of their support.
Charitable Impact is dedicated to fostering a culture of giving
where everyone feels empowered to make a difference, recognizing
that we all have causes we're passionate about and something to
contribute toward them. With initiatives like Cause Funds,
Charitable Impact provides the tools and support for Canadians to
give more confidently, knowing experienced community-based leaders
behind the Cause Fund will get the money to the charities and
programs championing their chosen causes, nurturing a culture where
giving is intentional, fulfilling, and accessible to all. Explore
more at
https://www.charitableimpact.com.
ABOUT CHARITABLE IMPACT:Charitable Impact is an online giving
platform that equips generous Canadians with the tools and
resources to create the change they seek in the world. Since its
founding in 2011, our community of 189,000+ users has donated more
than 1.4 billion dollars, benefitting 13,400+ registered charities
from the generosity of people across Canada.
ABOUT CAUSE FUNDSCharitable Impact’s Cause Fund Program is
blazing a trail to transform how Canadians give, with changemakers
leading the charge. Cause Funds address a common roadblock for
donors: not what to give to but where and how to do so effectively
for a meaningful impact. By leveraging the wisdom and expertise of
Cause Advisors—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
https://www.charitableimpact.com/cause-funds.
Please find media contacts below for further inquiries:Jida
El-Hajjar - Executive Director, ALS Action CanadaAvailable to speak
about ALS or ALS Super Fund.
Kevin Moorhead - Senior Director, Cause Funds at Charitable
ImpactAvailable to speak about the Cause Fund program at Charitable
Impact.
Additional Resources:Why we give storyALS Super
Fund websiteCampaign page
- ALS Super Fund Announcement
- Mark Kirton and his family
Luisa Velez
Charitable Impact
7783022978
luisa.velez@charitableimpact.com