ALS Society of Alberta

4th Annual Cycle for ALS
2026-08-15 00:00 - 23:59 UTC | The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre, 100 Mt Norquay Rd #2F, Banff, Alberta
Registration is now open!

Set against the stunning backdrop of Banff and the Rocky Mountains, the 4th Annual Cycle for ALS is a powerful day of connection, resilience, and community.

This event was created in 2023 by Rita Stegerman and continues to grow through the dedication of her son Cody, her husband George, and a passionate community committed to making a difference.

Starting at the Fenlands Recreation Centre in Banff, participants can choose from three scenic route options and ride at their own pace.

Whether you take on a shorter ride or challenge yourself with the full distance, every kilometre represents hope, awareness, and progress.

This includes rest stops, lunch, and a post-ride meal, creating a welcoming and inclusive experience for riders of all abilities.

Ride solo, join a team, or start your own.

Register or donate today!

ALS Caregiver Coffee: A Slight Change of Plans
2026-08-20 09:00 - 21:00 UTC | Alforno Coffee, 222 7 Street SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
ALS caregiver coffee and conversation inspired by A Slight Change of Plans, Life, Interrupted with Suleika Jaouad Part 1 & Part 2

Podcast: A Slight Change of Plans, Life, Interrupted with Suleika Jaouad Part 1 & Part 2

Join us for the August ALS Caregiver Coffee gathering.

For this session, we will listen to and discuss A Slight Change of Plans, Life, Interrupted with Suleika Jaouad Part 1 & Part 2

You are welcome whether you have listened to the episode or not. The goal is conversation, connection, and community.

This session is offered at two times:

Morning: 9:00 – 11:00 AM, Atco Cafe.

Evening: 7:00 – 9:00 PM, Alforno Eau Claire.

Registration is required for each session. Please note that the registration platform may display a payment information screen, but payment is not required. You will receive an email confirmation once your registration is complete.

Howard Smith Memorial Team Roping
2026-08-23 11:00 - 17:00 (America/Edmonton) | Howard Smith Memorial Roping, 33470-33504 Range Road 44, Eagle Valley, Alberta, T0M0K0, Canada
Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Howard Smith Memorial Team Roping as the event returns for its 23rd annual competition in support of the ALS Society of Alberta.

Hosted at the Howard Smith Memorial Arena in Eagle Valley, this beloved community tradition brings together competitors, families, friends, and supporters for an exciting day of team roping while raising funds for Albertans living with and affected by ALS.

Founded in memory of Howard Smith, who lived with ALS for 11 years, this event has become a lasting tribute to his legacy and the strength of the community that continues to rally around the ALS Society of Alberta. Over the years, the event has raised nearly $120,000 to help fund essential client services, equipment, and support programs across the province.

Whether you’re entering the competition or coming to cheer from the sidelines, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Event Details

Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026Location: Howard Smith Memorial Arena, Eagle Valley

Entries: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Team Roping Begins: 1:00 PM

No new entries will be accepted after 12:30 PM.

Event Highlights

Team roping competition

Straight draw pot (capped at 9)

Three-head progressive format

Raffle prizes

50/50 raffle

Complimentary BBQ and refreshments following the competition

Dummy roping for children 14 and under

Custom prizes awarded to the top five headers and heelers

Support Albertans Living with ALS

Every dollar raised through the Howard Smith Memorial Team Roping helps the ALS Society of Alberta provide equipment, client services, and support programs for Albertans living with and affected by ALS.

Join us for a day of competition, community, and western hospitality as we celebrate 25 years of making a difference.

Side by Side for ALS Lethbridge
2026-09-12 00:00 - 23:59 UTC | Henderson Lake Park (Horseshoe Pits), 2727 S Parkside Dr, Lethbridge
Henderson Lake – Horseshoe Pits

The ALS Society of Alberta is excited to introduce a new name and look for our walk and run events across Alberta! Side by Side for ALS is inspired by Betty’s legacy (of “Betty’s Run”) and driven by hope.

We call on communities across Alberta to strengthen every connection and create lasting impact in the fight against ALS.

Registration is Now Open

Throughout his life, Michael has been the definition of a hardworking man. He dedicated three decades of his life to Molson’s Brewery, working in Lethbridge, Calgary, and Edmonton to provide for his family. He was a man of action, and when he finally reached his well-earned retirement, he didn’t slow down. He filled his days with the things he loved most: hunting and fishing with family and friends and meticulously tending to his yard and puttering in his garage. Without question, Michael would drop everything to help someone in need. He showed his love not just in words, but in the steady work of his hands and his presence at every family gathering from Lethbridge to Medicine Hat.

But our world began to shift long before we had a name for what was happening. We noticed the subtle changes first: a loss of mobility in his left shoulder, strange twitching in his muscles, and an exhaustion that seemed impossible for a man who couldn’t sit still. We watched him struggle with simple tasks that had always been second nature. The turning point came during a medical exam, a moment we will never forget. The doctor couldn’t get a reading because Michael’s muscles were “jumping” so much. That was the day a doctor first spoke the letters ALS. After a series of tests at the South Campus hospital in Calgary, our fears were confirmed. On January 2, 2024, Michael was officially diagnosed and our lives were forever changed.

There is a heavy sorrow in bearing witness to this disease for all of Michael’s family and friends. It is heart-wrenching to watch a man who spent his life as the pillar of our family—the one we all leaned on—navigate a slow, relentless physical decline. ALS is a thief that tries to steal a person’s independence. Watching Michael face a challenge that cannot be mended with tools or a long day’s work is a grief that touches our hearts every single day. Despite this, he is still the husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend who anchors us, meeting this incredibly difficult challenge with a grace that leaves us in awe. He has taught us that while ALS can take his strength, it cannot touch his character and his spirit.

Michael has shown us a level of bravery we never knew possible. He has met every devastating milestone of this disease with a relentlessly positive attitude. We have watched Michael take each loss in stride—from the day he could no longer get behind the wheel, to the first time he reached for a cane, to the transition into a wheelchair, and the installation of a stair lift in his home. At the center of these transitions is Jane, Michael’s loving wife of 58 years. She has been an incredible support for Michael and our entire family. Jane stepped into the role of caregiver with a depth of love and patience that is nothing short of heroic. Jane selflessly navigates the daily complexities of this disease, ensuring Michael is always comfortable and never feels alone.

Thankfully, Michael has not had to carry this burden alone. He is surrounded by family and friends who provide unwavering love and support. The ALS Society of Alberta has been nothing short of amazing—an essential lifeline providing the knowledge, expertise, and equipment we need to navigate this journey. The kind and caring staff at the South Campus Calgary Hospital have been our partners in care, ensuring Mike is treated with the dignity and kindness all those suffering with ALS deserve.

We are walking for the man who spent a lifetime being there for family and friends and who now needs us to stand tall for him. We are walking for Jane, and for every family who provides care with tired arms and full hearts. Most of all, we are walking for the hope that one day, no more families will have to fight this horrible disease.

Michael is honoured to be your Lethbridge 2026 Side-by-Side ALS Ambassador. Please consider joining us for the Walk Together for ALS. When we walk together, we ensure that Michael, and families like ours, are never left to walk alone.

Side by Side for ALS - Wainwright
2026-09-13 12:00 - 14:00 UTC | Blessed Sacrament School, 1321 4 Ave, , AB T9W 2R7, Wainwright
Blessed Sacrament School

The ALS Society of Alberta is excited to introduce a new name and look for our walk and run events across Alberta! Side by Side for ALS is inspired by Betty’s legacy (of “Betty’s Run”) and driven by hope.

We call on communities across Alberta to strengthen every connection and create lasting impact in the fight against ALS.

Full event details will be available soon. We can’t wait to see you there.

Registration is Now Open

Hi, my name is Jennifer Leggett and I am honoured to be the 2026 Side by Side Ambassador for Wainwright, Alberta and to pick up the torch from Jenna Doll, who spearheaded the Wainwright walk for many years, also known as Jenna’s Walk.

My husband and I have been married for 41 years and live in Wainwright. We have a son and daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren here in Wainwright, and another son in Calgary.

After 36 years of working as an administrative assistant and only a few months into retirement, I began experiencing symptoms of weakness in my hands, and then in my legs. I was always giving my husband the gears for tightening container lids too much. I thought I was just getting older and weaker when I had more trouble coming up the stairs. When I finally sought medical help in January 2025, I had a quick trip through the medical system and on April 17, 2025, I got the answer to my questions. ALS. I had ALS, now what?

The weeks after that were a blur. Through it all, with my family and friends by my side, I knew I was well supported. We also saw great community support from Wainwright and the surrounding area and many offers of help. Whether it was food or offers to help move things to allow for our renovations, or even visits to keep life a little bit normal, it was very much appreciated.

It is all so important for a person living with an ALS diagnosis, as the disease is unforgiving and everchanging. Every time we thought we had figured out how to proceed, a change in my condition would make us reload and re-think the way forward. And moving forward is what we need to do.

We have had the help of friends who got us a ramp, by family who helped me access those difficult places, by friends who have kept an eye on how we were doing by phone or text or in person. I am determined to keep moving forwards and increasing my accessibility. Although it can get complicated and things are changing for me, I am determined to fight for my accessibility and independence, through everchanging equipment, or even travelling to our family cabin at a nearby lake.

Last year was our first year of being involved with the ALS Society of Alberta’s major fundraising walks. We were impressed by the support we saw and received in Wainwright last year, and the willingness of people to step up when asked. With Jenna’s passing last year, the ALS Society of Alberta asked me to be the Ambassador for Side By Side for ALS in Wainwright this year, and I readily agreed, knowing its importance to all of us in the ALS community.

Without the help of the ALS Society of Alberta, I would not have been able to stay in our home, even with all of the renovations we did. The equipment they supplied has let me eat, sleep, and live in our house. I went from using a walker in July to using an electric wheelchair and Sit2Stand lift in October. Early in 2026 I began to need a full Hoyer lift, and I am still able to move around and go places with my electric wheelchair, and the ALS Society of Alberta has provided all of this equipment for free. This is why Side by Side for ALS is so important, because the funds raised allow the ALS Society of Alberta to purchase and maintain equipment for their loan program, which allows people like me to improve the way they live with this horrible disease.

Surrounded by my family and friends, and with support from the ALS Clinic, the ALS Society of Alberta, and generous people all over Alberta, I plan to try to live my life the best I can for as long as I can.

I take pride in being the 2026 Side by Side for ALS Ambassador in Wainwright, and look forward to seeing you all there on September 13, at the Blessed Sacrament School track.

ALS Caregiver Book Club: Everything Happens for a Reason
2026-09-17 09:00 - 21:00 UTC | Alforno Coffee, 222 7 Street SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
ALS caregiver book club discussion of Book: Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I Have Loved by Kate Bowler.

Book: Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I Have Loved by Kate Bowler.

Join us for the September ALS Caregiver Book Club. For this session, we will read and discuss Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I Have Loved by Kate Bowler.

This book explores illness, grief, faith, and the stories we tell ourselves to make sense of difficult experiences. Our discussion will focus on how these ideas connect to caregiving and navigating uncertainty.

These gatherings are a space for ALS caregivers to connect, reflect, and talk openly with others who understand the caregiving journey.

You are welcome whether you have finished the book or not. The goal is conversation, connection, and community.

Morning: 9:00 – 11:00 AM, Atco Cafe.

Evening: 7:00 – 9:00 PM, Alforno Eau Claire.

Registration is required for each session. Please note that the registration platform may display a payment information screen, but payment is not required. You will receive an email confirmation once your registration is complete.

Side by Side for ALS - Hinton
2026-09-27 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Beaver Boardwalk, 408 Collinge Rd, Hinton, Alberta, Canada
Beaver Boardwalk – Hinton

The ALS Society of Alberta is excited to introduce a new name and look for our walk and run events across Alberta! Side by Side for ALS is inspired by Betty’s legacy (of “Betty’s Run”) and driven by hope.

We call on communities across Alberta to strengthen every connection and create lasting impact in the fight against ALS.

Full event details will be available soon. We can’t wait to see you there.

Register or Donate Today!

ALS Caregiver Coffee: All There Is, Creating a Companionship with Grief
2026-10-15 09:00 - 21:00 UTC | Alforno Coffee, 222 7 Street SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
ALS caregiver coffee and conversation inspired by All There Is – Creating a Companionship with Grief.

Podcast: All There Is – Creating a Companionship with Grief.

Join us for the October ALS Caregiver Coffee gathering.

For this session, we will listen to and discuss Anderson Cooper’s podcast: All There Is – Creating a Companionship with Grief.

These gatherings are a space for ALS caregivers to connect, reflect, and talk openly with others who understand the caregiving journey.

You are welcome whether you have listened to the episode or not. The goal is conversation, connection, and community.

This session is offered at two times:

Morning: 9:00 – 11:00 AM, Atco Cafe.

Evening: 7:00 – 9:00 PM, Alforno Eau Claire.

Registration is required for each session. Please note that the registration platform may display a payment information screen, but payment is not required. You will receive an email confirmation once your registration is complete.

ALS Caregiver Book Club: Bittersweet
2026-11-19 09:00 - 21:00 UTC | Alforno Coffee, 222 7 Street SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
ALS caregiver book club discussion of Bittersweet by Susan Cain and the hidden strength in sadness and longing.

Book: Bittersweet by Susan Cain

Join us for the November ALS Caregiver Book Club. For this session, we will read and discuss Bittersweet by Susan Cain.

This book explores how sadness, longing, and vulnerability can also be sources of strength, connection, and meaning. Our conversation will connect these ideas to caregiving and the ALS journey.

These gatherings are a space for ALS caregivers to connect, reflect, and talk openly with others who understand the caregiving journey.

You are welcome whether you have finished the book or not. The goal is conversation, connection, and community.

Morning: 9:00 – 11:00 AM, Atco Cafe.

Evening: 7:00 – 9:00 PM, Alforno Eau Claire.

Registration is required for each session. Please note that the registration platform may display a payment information screen, but payment is not required. You will receive an email confirmation once your registration is complete.

ALS Caregiver Coffee: All There Is - Anticipatory Grief
2026-12-17 09:00 - 21:00 UTC | Alforno Coffee, 222 7 Street SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Join us for a relaxed ALS caregiver coffee gathering and conversation inspired by the podcast All There Is – Anticipatory Grief.

Podcast: All There Is – Anticipatory Grief.

Join us for the December ALS Caregiver Coffee gathering.

For this session, we will listen to and discuss All There Is – Anticipatory Grief. These gatherings are a space for ALS caregivers to connect, reflect, and talk openly with others who understand the caregiving journey.

These gatherings are a space for ALS caregivers to connect, reflect, and talk openly with others who understand the caregiving journey.

You are welcome whether you have listened to the episode or not. The goal is conversation, connection, and community.

This session is offered at two times:

Morning: 9:00 – 11:00 AM, Atco Cafe.

Evening: 7:00 – 9:00 PM, Alforno Eau Claire.

Registration is required for each session. Please note that the registration platform may display a payment information screen, but payment is not required. You will receive an email confirmation once your registration is complete.
