This page was exported from Shelburne Free Press [ https://shelburnefreepress.ca ] Export date:Tue Jul 23 4:33:06 2024 / +0000 GMT ___________________________________________________ Title: Third Walk to End ALS honours Cathi Snider --------------------------------------------------- Written By Paula Brown Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A small but dedicated wave of purple made its way through the streets of Shelburne this past weekend, as family members and friends of late Cathi Snider took part in the third annual Walk to End ALS.  “I'm really happy to see the amount of family that's here,” said Debra Bettio, one the Cathi's three sisters. “I think everyone knows the importance of remembering and honouring her, and to do something that will help other families. It's a really nice thing to do.”  A resident of Shelburne, Cathi Snider was diagnosed with ALS in August of 2019 after experience a fall, undergoing physiotherapy and several tests in hospital. After battling the disease for six months, Cathi passed away in February of 2020.  Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a terminal progressive nervous system disease that affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord causing loss of muscle control.  This year's Walk to End ALS marked a significant moment for the family members of Cathi, as it was the first time the family was able to come together as one unit on the walk. Due to the pandemic, the family held separate virtual walks across the province.  While taking part in the five kilometre walk through the streets of Shelburne on Sunday, family members recalled and shared memories of Cathi – from the fact that her favourite colour was purple to her tradition of baking.  “She would have been the first one on this walk,” said Doug Snider, Cathi's husband.  “If it was anybody else, she would have been just a big a support as everyone here,” agreed Ben Snider, one of Cathi's son's.  “Mom was always a big part of the community, she knew everybody,” described Lee Snider, Cathi's other son. “It's great the amount of support the community has shown year in year out, it's amazing.”  The 2022 Walk to End ALS in Shelburne also marked the first year the walk was opened up to the community to take part in.  Alliston resident, Midge Facciol, took part in the walk, in memory of her late husband Paul Facciol, who passed away from ALS in December of 2020.  “I'm usually a very strong person, but as we started to walk, I looked up and thought ‘Oh my God, Paul, I'm walking for you today', and it's a joy to be here,” said Facciol. “I'm going to keep doing this as long as I can, it gives you this feeling that you're doing something and recognizing them.”  Paul worked as a metro police officer for a number of years before moving on to work as an investigator with the banks. He was also a past recipient of the Senior of the Year Award in New Tecumseth. Both previously widowed, Paul and Midge “found each other” and married in 2003. “I had the most wonderful 18 years with him,” said Midge.  The Walk to End ALS is a Canada-wide volunteer-led fundraiser, the largest for ALS Societies in the country, which supports the 3,000 families living with ALS while honouring those who have passed away from the disease.  Team Cathi had a 2022 fundraising goal of $3,000, and at the time of print $3,040 has been raised.  --------------------------------------------------- Images: --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Post date: 2022-06-09 13:22:36 Post date GMT: 2022-06-09 17:22:36 Post modified date: 2022-06-23 12:35:00 Post modified date GMT: 2022-06-23 16:35:00 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Export of Post and Page as text file has been powered by [ Universal Post Manager ] plugin from www.gconverters.com