The numbers are in, and an Espanola woman is grateful for the support of the community in supporting the annual ALS walk in memory of her mother.
Espanola resident Melanie Poirier says she has walked for the last four years, but this year it was special since it was in memory of her mother Rita Poirier who died last year following a five-year battle with the disease, ALS.
She says ALS is a disease that gradually paralyzes people because the brain is no longer able to communicate with the muscles impacting everyone in the family as the person gradually loses their ability to move.
She started the annual walk in 2018 to help the association and raise awareness but adds the process has helped her personally in accepting, grieving and now healing from her loss.
Poirier says she was successful in raising $545 this year bringing her total to $4,675 over the last four and appreciates the support from the public.