Gord Shannon grew up living all over BC’s Fraser Valley. He was always a very active man, as he was in construction for most of his life in land development.
He also loved to play golf, baseball, hockey and loved to curl. All of these things Shannon participated in before he was diagnosed with ALS.
ALS is a degenerative disease that slowly affects mobility and speech. Upon diagnosis, patients can live up to five years with the disease. However, Shannon is an exception.
Shannon was diagnosed in 1997 and had since seen some close friends pass away from the same disease. He has a wife of 39 years and two daughters who support him every day.
Shannon got involved with the People’s Drug Mart Walk for ALS in 2002 and started as a Walk coordinator in 2004. He has been a coordinator every year since.
The public can help Shannon reach his goal of $35,000 on June 1 at Lakeside Rotary Park at the 2014 West Kootenay Walk for ALS.
Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. and the walk starts at 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome to participate in this inspiring event; there is no fee to attend.
Money raised goes toward ALS patient services and ALS research — 60 per cent to patient services and programs and 40 per cent towards ALS research to find the cause and cure.
The ALS Society of BC is dedicated to providing direct support to ALS patients, along with their families and caregivers, to ensure the best quality of life possible while living with ALS.