(CFJC Today/File photo).

By Aaron Schulze

ALS Society

B.C. provides $2 million to ALS Society for cure research and clinical trials

May 12, 2021 | 3:25 PM

VICTORIA – The B.C. government is providing the ALS Society of BC with $2 million to support patients living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the province through research for a cure, and clinical trials.

The ALS Society of BC’s PROJECT HOPE will establish an ALS research professorship in collaboration with the University of British Columbia (UBC). The new, permanent ALS dedicated clinician and scientist will work out of the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health (DMCBH), and offer patient care and further improve patient outcomes and research, with the goal of increasing access to clinical trials in B.C.

“As somebody living with ALS, it feels great to know that our needs are recognized by the provincial government and UBC,” ALS Society of BC Advocacy Committee Chair Brad MacKenzie said. “Now that PROJECT HOPE is successful, British Columbians living with ALS, myself included, should feel proud that we will soon have more local access to cutting-edge, world-class clinical trials for the disease.”

Scientists at DMCBH also work on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s research, which provides an opportunity for collaboration between the study of these three neurodegenerative diseases.

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The ALS Society of BC was founded in 1981 by ALS patients, their family members and health-care professionals to meet the physical and emotional needs of people living with ALS and their caregivers. They support families directly, raise funds for patient services and research and work to increase public awareness and understanding of ALS.

ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease where patients typically become unable to move, speak, swallow and breathe as the condition progresses. Approximately 400 British Columbians live with ALS.