Chestermere firefighters are raising money for a colleague and others living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), as a national study shows the disease is placing a significant financial burden on Canadian households. “It’s the home stuff, it’s the work stuff. It’s a huge burden on the family,” said Cody Zebedee, fire chief with Chestermere Fire Services. Firefighters began a 72-hour rooftop campout fundraiser at noon Wednesday in support of the ALS Society of Alberta and Kimball Yorston, a member of the Chestermere Fire Services team who was diagnosed with ALS in 2025. Yorston is among approximately 4,000 Canadians living with the fatal disease, which progressively affects muscle control and can eventually leave people unable to walk, talk, eat or breathe. “Approximately 400 Albertans face ALS this year, you know. It’ll help them through different means whether it’s with wheelchairs, power chairs, lifts, bathroom (accessories) and it makes a difference,” said Yorston. “The ALS Society helps soften that blow so much but there is still a lot of cost families face,” he added. A report released by ALS Canada on Wednesday found the disease costs $628.2 million annually nationwide, with patients, caregivers and their families bearing about 78 per cent of the cost. “Lost wages, taking time off for appointments, but then in addition it’s the cost of the equipment that folks need to live comfortably in their own homes and to be able to come to work,” said Lisa Copeland of the ALS Society of Alberta. ALS Canada is calling on the federal government to invest $50 million in research over the next five years to help reduce the financial burden on people affected by the disease. There is currently no cure for ALS, and most people die within two to five years of diagnosis. “ALS is a health care crisis but when we look at these numbers it’s also a financial crisis and behind these numbers are families that simply can’t afford an ALS diagnosis,” said Tammy Moore, CEO of ALS Canada. The firefighters set fundraising milestones to encourage donations as they spent three days and nights on the fire hall roof. However, the community donated enough to meet the original $20,000 goal before the campout began. The team has since raised its fundraising target to $30,000. “It’s spread to a bunch of other locals (fire stations) around Alberta, which is great to see awareness, and you know, supporting Kimball in all this,” said Zebedee. The 72-hour campout will conclude with a community barbecue at the fire hall at noon Saturday.
