A&W mascot The Great Root Bear visits with Pioneer Lodge residents during Burgers to Beat MS.
Fort Macleod joined in Thursday to celebrate the 15th anniversary of A&W’s Burgers to Beat MS fund-raiser.
Fort Macleod A&W raised about $6,500, topping its goal of $4,000.
A&W Canada for 15 years has donated $2 from the sale of every Teen Burger during the event to MS Canada.
At the Fort Macleod A&W, people could help by buying Teen Burgers and 50-50 and raffle tickets, and taking aim at the dunk tank.
An added feature at the Fort Macleod A&W was the Cruisin’ the Dub show of vintage and custom vehicles.
Donations from other businesses supported the Fort Macleod fund-raising effort.
The partnership between A&W Canada and MS Canada began in 2008 and its first pilot in Saskatchewan raised more than $40,000.
The event soon expanded nationally and in 2016, formally launched under the Burgers to Beat MS name.
Since its inception, Burgers to Beat MS has raised more than $19-million for MS Canada.
Helping to ring in the 15th year, Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman, TJ Brodie and his wife Amber partnered with the Burgers to Beat MS campaign to raise awareness and critical funds for MS Canada.
This cause is very close to their hearts as Amber was diagnosed with MS in 2016.
“In 15 years, what started out as a small idea has blossomed into a formidable movement,” said Susan Senecal, president and chief executive officer of A&W Canada.
Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world, with about one in every 400 Canadians living with MS.
MS is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord).
It is considered an episodic disease meaning that the severity and duration of illness and disability can vary and are often followed by periods of wellness.
Most people are diagnosed with MS between the ages of 20 and 49 and the unpredictable effects of the disease will last for the rest of their lives.
MS Canada provides information, support and advocacy to people affected by MS, and funds research to find the cause and cure for the disease, bringing us closer to a world free of MS.
There is no cure for MS, making the money to support research vital.
