August 27th 2025 Frequently Asked Questions

1.        Why are you doing this now?

More funds are needed to support people living with ALS and to conduct research to find a treatment, and eventually a cure, for ALS. We’re both in good health and this was the time to do it. I’ve been involved with fundraising and the ALS Society of BC ever since my mom was diagnosed with ALS in 1999. Along with sister, Tammy, we ran the Vancouver marathon in 2000 as a fundraiser, then started a 5-km run for ALS, which was held for 8 years. After that, I did Ironman Canada Triathlons in 2010 and 2012 as a fundraiser for ALS, under the slogan “Tri’ing to End ALS”. We decided to continue spreading the ‘tri’ing’ word by doing triathlons in each province AND territory across Canada this year as I turned 60 – what a way to celebrate!

2.        What is ALS?

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive neuromuscular disease in which the brain progressively stops communicating with voluntary muscles in the body – those that enable us to walk, hug, smile, eat and breathe. There is no cure. 80% of people with ALS die within two to five years of diagnosis. And many people we meet talk about how long it took for their loved one to be diagnosed with ALS.  This results in delayed support and equipment being provided to help people live as best they can. Anyone can be affected by ALS at anytime. 

3.        How many people have ALS?

About 4000 people are currently living with ALS in Canada. Over 200,000 people worldwide. About 1000 people are diagnosed with ALS in Canada each year

4.        Is a cure coming soon?

Research continues around the world, along with collaboration and sharing of finds. Clinical trials are offered in Canada, and 50% of funds raised by Tri’ing go towards ALSBC’s PROJECT HOPE, an initiative with University of British Columbia and ALSBC to fund an ALS Professorship to lead research and clinical trials at UBC.

As ALS presents itself differently in people, finding a cure will take time and will likely involve a variety of treatments. Treatments to slow the progression of the disease are being developed.

5.        Where does the money go that is donated?

Half of the money donated in each province/territory stays in that province/territory’s ALS Society to support people living with ALS with such things as equipment. Walkers, wheelchairs, special beds, speaking machines, breathing machines. The other 50% goes to ALSBC’s PROJECT HOPE initiative with UBC to fund research and clinical trials. 100% of donations go to support ALS patients. 

6.        Do you have any support nationally?

Each province has its own ALS Society, and the three territories are supported by one of the provincial societies (Yukon – ALSBC; NWT – ALSAB; Nunavut – ALS Canada/Ontario). All of the societies are aware of Tri’ing, appreciate our efforts, but have provided limited support with the media. to. A few of the societies have limited staff, or are run solely by volunteers, so we especially appreciate their efforts to support us.

7.        How long have you been planning this and how did you pick the races/route?

A couple of years ago, Mike mapped out a route for triathlons being held across the country. He finetuned it last year, showing we could actually make it work. Donna started sending out requests for sponsorship over a year ago.

8.        How is this being funded?

Mike and Donna are personally funding this, along with a few sponsors with cash or in-kind support (Bronze Sponsors: Envision Credit Union/David Francilia and SWCA.CA; Community sponsors: Starting Block; Rancho Vignola; Dynamic Race Events; Kal Tire; Endurance Health & Fitness).100% of donations go to support people living with ALS.

9.        How many people are doing Tri’ing and what support do you have with logistics, etc?

We’re the sole participants in the cross-Canada efforts. A few teammates are helping out in other ways. Cody Isted is raising funds under “Tri’ing” by doing several BC-based events as fundraisers. See our Teammates webpage for more information.  We also have some media support from Wendy Toyer  (volunteer Chair of PROJECT HOPE and retired Executive Director of the ALS Society of BC). One sponsor, SWCA.CA, and our daughter provide additional help with social media.

10.   How much money have you raised so far?

As of early August, about $33,000 has been raised from across the country.

11.   How come I haven’t heard about this before?

People don’t know about Tri’ing as it’s not being promoted enough. GlobalBC did a great story on us before we started and we’ve asked if they’d like to do an update but have had no response; hopefully once we’re done. Press releases are being sent out prior to each of our races (thanks to Wendy Toyer, volunteer chair of PROJECT HOPE) to a variety of national and local media. CBC North interviewed us when we were in  Iqaluit – after we literally knocked on their locked office door and asked if they’d like to do a good news story on us (even though several emails had been sent). Several community papers have done stories and/or interviews. The race directors have been great at including information on their websites or at least speaking about it at their race. The ALS Societies have promoted our journey through social media as much as they’re able to or want to.

12.   This sounds like fun and is a great way to see the country. What sightseeing have you done?

With the focus on racing, and raising awareness and funds for ALS, we don’t have much time for other things. A golf game or two; a sightseeing trip or two. A typical week looks like this:

Sunday: up early, race, eat, rest, do laundry, social media

Monday - Thursday: travel towards next race location, driving anywhere from 5 to 8 hours; keep up with social media posts; reach out to local media and/or race directors to promote our journey; hopefully spend a bit of time decompressing by reading, playing card games (thanks for Skip-Bo recommendations, W&D!). If we’re lucky we may have a couple hours a week to do something “touristy”

Friday: arrive at our race location; grocery shop

Saturday: scout out race course; get our race gear ready; eat and try to rest

Repeat.

13.   How can we help?

Donations are always appreciated. Sharing our journey via social media is also highly encouraged. The more people are aware of what we’re doing, the more donations will be given and the more support can be provided for people living with ALS. Also, passing our story onto any media contacts helps a lot. We haven’t had much media coverage (mostly from local papers), so the more the better. And coming out to one of our events to cheer us on….maybe event sign up to do one of our races (individually or make up a team). If you have other activities you’d like to do to raise funds and awareness under the Tri’ing to End ALS banner, please reach out to us.

14.   Are you both doing the race?

This a pretty common question when people see us together or they meet Donna and see me at a distance. Since we started planning this journey 3 years ago my intension has been to do all the races….. I don’t fit the mold of a triathlete; 250 lbs, grey beard, asthma, kind of slow moving, but I get it done. Hopefully people see past my size and get some inspiration that I am still chugging along at my advanced age……. I have been doing this since 1989 and have done over 70 races, 4 of them Iron distance.