Saturday, August 27, 2011

A&W ~ Cruisin' For A Cure ~ Multiple Sclerosis ~ Canada

This A and W sign is one that everyone will recognize instantly, but the message on the sign today is different.  The A and W is holding the second national annual MS fundraiser.

Classic A&W sign with a great message
Canadians have one of the highest rates of MS in the world.  The numbers are as high as 75,000 Canadians that have multiple sclerosis so there are many people that will benefit from a cure for MS.  The A and W is doing their share of bringing attention to this disease and raising funds so that hopefully one day soon we will learn that there is a cure for MS. 

Ron with staff in Kamloops work hard for MS
The Cruisin' For a Cause Day is a fundraiser for Multiple Sclerosis all across Canada and Ron and his staff are working hard to promote this special day for a very worthy cause.  The walls inside the A and W are covered with dedications from those who have contributed to the cause over the past while. 

MS supporters visit A&W in Kamloops, BC
The fundraiser began in Saskatchewan in 2009 then became a national event in 2010. Now the whole country can benefit from the contributions made by A+W and their loyal patrons. $1 from every Teenburger sold across Canada today is given to the MS Society in their neighborhood plus the other funds raised by their extra efforts at the A and W.

Classic cars visit the A&W in Kamloops to support the MS fundraiser
The A and W has been a longtime favorite place for the local Classic car club to gather and share stories and display their cars.  Some things should never change so it is great to see the old cars become part of this annual fundraiser.  Funds raised from Classic car shows are also contributed to MS society.

Classic cars and trucks visit the annual MS Cruisin' For a Cause at A&W in Kamloops, BC
MS is not an easy disease to detect.  It is an inflammatory disease of the brain and spinal cord, which is the Central Nervous System (CNS).  Patches of damage appear, called lesions that will interfere with the transmission of communication signals.

Classic cars of Kamloops support the MS fundraiser at A&W
There are four main types of Multiple Sclerosis, which can explain some of the differences of those suffering from this disease.  Some types may affect women more than men, some show no favorites, some are early onset while other types will not show the symptoms until one reaches their forties.

A '56 Fargo and a blue Chevy are Cruisin' For a Cause
MS symptoms vary with different people in their severity, location and their timing.  There are many symptoms but rarely would anyone have them all.  Most people will lead an active life in spite of having MS as some may only have mild symptoms, most will eventually use canes but only some will end up using a wheelchair.

Classic cars and more at the annual A&W MS fundraiser in Kamloops, BC
Canadians have one of the highest rates of MS in the world.  The numbers are as high as 75,000 Canadians that have multiple sclerosis so there are many people that will benefit from a cure for MS.  The A and W is doing their share of bringing attention to this disease and raising funds so that hopefully one day soon we will learn that there is a cure for MS. 


A&W on Fortune Drive in Kamloops, BC
There are over 730 A and W in Canada and they raised over $700,000.00 last year and hope to beat that total and gather over $1 milliion this year.

Thank you to the A and W 's all across Canada and especially the ones here at home in Kamloops, which means the most to us.

August 23, 2012 saw two of our local A and W's in Kamloops place as first and second highest fundraisers in all of B.C.  Congratulations to the efforts of the local outlets and the spirit of Kamloops giving.

This is just another reason why we love Kamloops !