Barry and Bonnie Bridges Make Transformational $1 Million Gift to Advance ALS Research in Alberta

The Alberta ALS Research Network (AARN), powered by the ALS Society of Alberta, is proud to announce a transformational $1 million gift from Barry and Bonnie Bridges to advance ALS research and clinical trial capacity across the province.

This investment, inspired by their son Kelan Bridges, who is living with ALS, reflects a powerful commitment not only to their own family, but to improving outcomes for every family navigating this disease.

The funding priorities for this gift were identified through AARN’s ongoing work to strengthen Alberta’s ALS research ecosystem. By aligning donor generosity with the most urgent gaps in research and clinical infrastructure, this contribution will accelerate progress across the full research continuum.

A commitment of $600,000 will expand clinical trial capacity at ALS clinics in Calgary and Edmonton through the addition of dedicated ALS Clinical Trial Coordinators at the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary over the next three years. These roles will provide critical infrastructure to ensure Alberta can attract and run more clinical trials, while also offering personalized, real-time support to families navigating available research opportunities locally, nationally, and globally.

An additional $200,000 will support the next phase of CAPTURE ALS, a well-established natural history study run by the University of Alberta’s Dr. Sanjay Kalra that is recognized as a foundational initiative in understanding the biology and progression of ALS. CAPTURE 2.0 will expand data collection efforts and bring additional trial sites online in Alberta and across Canada, further strengthening the province’s role in national research efforts.

The remaining $200,000 will establish a new ALS Research Award through AARN, designed to support established research programs pursuing innovative and high-impact work. This competitive award will help drive forward the scientific discoveries needed to unlock new treatments and, ultimately, a cure.

Dr. Gordon Jewett, Chair of the AARN Steering Committee, emphasized the significance of this coordinated approach: “This gift represents exactly what is possible when donor generosity is aligned with a clear research strategy. Through AARN, we can identify where investments will have the greatest impact, whether that is expanding clinical trial access or advancing discovery science. This contribution will strengthen Alberta’s position as a leader in ALS research and, most importantly, improve access and hope for patients and families.”

Kelsie Snow, AARN Project Manager, reflected on the human impact behind the work: “Participating in research can offer something incredibly rare in the ALS journey: a sense of hope and agency. By supporting the priorities identified through AARN, the Bridges family is helping ensure that every Albertan living with ALS has access to those opportunities. This is about more than research. It’s about giving families something to hold onto.”

Through their generosity, Barry and Bonnie Bridges are not only honouring Kelan, they are helping shape a stronger, more connected research system in Alberta, one that brings together clinicians, researchers, and families to accelerate progress and create meaningful change.