Two Canadians on a mission to end ALS made their way through Manitoba this past weekend, stopping in Arborg and competing in the Hecla Triathlon as part of a four-month, cross-country campaign.
Donna Bartel and her husband, Mike Pearson, are undertaking an extraordinary challenge: to complete 18 triathlons across all 10 provinces and three territories to raise awareness and funds for those affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Their campaign, Tri’ing to End ALS, will cover more than 24,000 kilometres by the time they reach the finish line in September.
Bartel, who lost her mother to ALS in 2001, said the idea behind the journey was to give hope, raise awareness and push for better treatment options.
“There are around 4,000 Canadians living with ALS at any given time,” she said. “It can strike anyone, at any time, and it’s always fatal. We’re doing this for them — to give hope and to push for a cure.”
The couple set a goal of raising $600,000, with half the funds going toward patient support services through provincial ALS societies and the other half supporting ALS research through Project Hope. As of late July, they had reached only four per cent of their goal — a figure Bartel said highlights the need for greater awareness.
“We’re not celebrities, and this isn’t a huge corporate campaign,” she said. “But we believe in this cause deeply, and we hope that as more people hear about our journey, they’ll be inspired to help.”
Bartel and Pearson, who met through a triathlon club and have been competing for more than 35 years, came up with the idea years ago. Bartel had completed Ironman Canada races in 2010 and 2012 as ALS fundraisers. But it wasn’t until recently that the pair realized they could take the idea national.
“A couple of years ago, Mike started looking at whether it was even possible to race across the country — and once we saw it could be done, the planning got serious,” Bartel said.
Their Manitoba stop included the Hecla Triathlon on July 26 and a stay at the Arborg Heritage Village Campground. Bartel said they received warm support from both the campground and the triathlon organizers.
“Arborg felt like such a welcoming community,” she said. “We’ve been so grateful for the help from Pat at the campground and Paula with the Hecla Triathlon Detour. The course was beautiful and it’s been wonderful seeing these small-town parts of Canada.”
The campaign has taken a physical and emotional toll.
“We’re both getting tired,” Bartel admitted. “We’re racing every weekend now until September and driving a lot in between. Add in social media and planning where we’re staying — it’s a lot. But we meet people every day who have a connection to ALS, and those conversations are what keep us going.”
“People living with ALS have to dig deep every day,” she added. “So when it gets tough, we remind ourselves to dig deep for a day or two. That’s nothing compared to what they face.”
The couple has self-funded nearly the entire journey — covering race fees, travel, accommodations, and time off work — with support from a few sponsors. Planning their route has been a logistical feat.
“Mike mapped out our race schedule and coordinated with race directors,” Bartel said. “Then we figure out how far we can travel each day and try to find free places to stay.”
Highlights from their cross-country tour so far include a touching moment in Iqaluit.
“We went to NuBrew, a local brewery that was hosting trivia night,” Bartel said. “When the organizer, Big Jon, heard what we were doing, he collected donations on the spot — $520. Mike and I were both in tears from their generosity.”
Bartel said including the territories in their campaign was non-negotiable.
“ALS can affect anyone, anywhere,” she said. “Several people in Iqaluit thanked us for including Nunavut. That meant a lot.”
In Manitoba, the couple connected with the ALS Society, which shared their story. Bartel said many people don’t realize how donations stay local.
“Fifty per cent of funds raised in Manitoba support people living with ALS right here — through equipment, advocacy and support,” she said. “The other 50 per cent goes to research and clinical trials through UBC, so people in Western Canada have access to new treatments.”
They hope their efforts spark national attention.
“We need more media support,” Bartel said. “This is a Canada-wide fundraiser that directly benefits people in every province and territory.”
For those looking to help, she offered a few suggestions.
“Our website has a donation link. People can also volunteer with the ALS Society of Manitoba or just come out and cheer at races,” she said. “Even sharing our story helps.”
When asked what keeps them motivated, Bartel reflected on the personal impact their journey is having.
“There was a young woman in Stettler, Alberta — her face just lit up when she heard what we were doing,” she said. “Her uncle had ALS, and it meant so much to her that someone was doing something to help.”
Looking ahead, the couple hopes to see real change in how ALS is treated and supported.
“We want to raise enough to make a real difference,” Bartel said. “This disease has been around too long. Too many people are dying.”
“In the next five to 10 years, we hope there’s a treatment to slow ALS — and ultimately a cure. And we want to make sure anyone living with ALS in Canada has the support they need to live fully.”
Their message remains simple: they’re tri’ing to make a difference — but they need help to get to the finish line.
To learn more or donate, visit www.triingtoendals.ca.
